<p>Various embodiments include a toy comprising a processor; a memory for storing at least one group of data, each said at least one group comprising of a plurality of expressive responses, and each said group representing a respective theme; an output for said expressive responses; the toy being adapted to exchange such expressive responses with another such toy; an interface for receiving an instructive response from a user; and a suitably programmed processor and associated memory for altering the exchange of expressive responses between the toys in dependence upon the received user instructive response.</p>