Researchers take on imaginary playmates -- for real

[Dover]

Researchers take on imaginary playmates -- for real

By CECELIA GOODNOW
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

A peek into one of the most intriguing childhood mysteries reveals that imaginary playmates are a staple of early development and persist well into the school years -- later than researchers once thought.

"I'm beginning to think it never goes away," said Marjorie Taylor, head of psychology at the University of Oregon and a leading researcher on children's pretend play. "What I think is it morphs into a different form."

Taylor and University of Washington researcher Stephanie Carlson explored the hidden world of imaginary companions in a study that appears in the current issue of the journal Developmental Psychology.

"The phenomenon of the imaginary friend is really misunderstood," Taylor said. "People thought it was rare -- it's not. People thought it was a red flag -- it's not."

In fact, previous studies have shown that kids who invent imaginary friends -- whether invisible beings or personified toys -- tend to have better verbal skills and better social understanding. But a lack of such pals is OK, too.

"There are lots of ways to express creativity," Taylor said...cont'd

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