Affinity for Aloneness in Adolescence and Preference for Solitude in Childhood

The chapter describes two research traditions that have concentrated on solitary play in childhood and time spent alone in adulthood, respectively. These two traditions have hitherto remained isolated from one another and, until recently, communication among researchers involved in these respective enterprises has been scarce. The first two sections of the chapter present an overview of these two traditions and their associated domains of scientific inquiry that plunge their roots into theories of motivation and maturity. The final section suggests different ways in which the two traditions may be linked up with one another in a joint effort to clarify the meaning of solitude throughout the lifespan.