It's lengthy, and it's from here, but it is good.
19 May 2015
Using the Mass Effect Trilogy in Psychotherapy
I'll admit that I am a bit of a late joiner to the Mass Effect trilogy, especially since the first game was released in 2007, and the third was released in 2012. But I am sold, and am a huge fan of the game. I actually enjoyed the game so much, that I feel that it can be used as a therapeutic intervention.
If you Google Mass Effect Counselling, or Mass Effect Therapy you will find this in game clip. But I do believe Mass Effect can be used as a part of therapy to help understand social situations and impacts of decisions.
I have started using it with teenage males that are struggling to understand their social impacts, and the hope that using a video game that is appealing will allow them to role play what it is like to interact in different ways socially.
Theoretical Background
The idea spurred from research that is being conducted out of the University of Victoria, by Kathy Sanford. They are finding that there is an upside to playing video games. That is, in game social skills: i.e. trying new roles, working together as a team; are spilling out into the real world.
Jane McGonigal is the founder of Gameful, and gave a powerful TED Talk about how gamers are solving problems in the digital world and believes that those skills can be harnessed in the real world.
BioWare's Mass Effect trilogy, while it is a mix Role-Playing Game (RPG) and First Person Shooter (FPS), is a game about decisions that impact the story and even the outcome of the game (like a create your own adventure book). The game provides a Good vs Evil or Bad Cop vs Good Cop experience in decisions, choices and conversations via it's Paragon vs Renegade scale. Notice in this review how different conversation choices led to different outcomes (watch for 30 seconds). Such decisions also impact loyalty with squad members, romance, and the game experience.
Process
First, the Empathy Quotient, a 60 question questionnaire, is used as a pre-test to help determine where clients are at presently (Yes I am aware that it was designed to "[assess] the level of social impairment in certain disorders like Autism." But it is also "suitable for use as a casual measure of temperamental empathy by and for the general population.").
Second, play the Mass Effect trilogy. (But Josh, the game is rated M, for Mature, which is for ages 17+. That is true, but if your child/teen plays Borderlands, Call of Duty, Battlefield, and/or Grand Theft Auto V; Mass Effect is suitable). If the rating is questionable, consider reading the reviews on www.commonsensemedia.org for more information. Clients are encouraged to play a Paragon role, if not, notice the outcomes of playing as a Renegade vs Paragon.
Third, the Empathy Quotient is used again as a post test.
Hypothesis
The hope is that by having a slowed down conversation process where players can choose how to respond and decision making, that those skills will spill over to the real world. That noticing how Renegade and Paragon actions influence relationships, game play and outcomes will impact real world relationships. The measurable outcome is a higher score in the post-test than the pre-test.
The intervention is in it's infancy, but I am hopeful.
If you Google Mass Effect Counselling, or Mass Effect Therapy you will find this in game clip. But I do believe Mass Effect can be used as a part of therapy to help understand social situations and impacts of decisions.
I have started using it with teenage males that are struggling to understand their social impacts, and the hope that using a video game that is appealing will allow them to role play what it is like to interact in different ways socially.
Theoretical Background
The idea spurred from research that is being conducted out of the University of Victoria, by Kathy Sanford. They are finding that there is an upside to playing video games. That is, in game social skills: i.e. trying new roles, working together as a team; are spilling out into the real world.
Jane McGonigal is the founder of Gameful, and gave a powerful TED Talk about how gamers are solving problems in the digital world and believes that those skills can be harnessed in the real world.
BioWare's Mass Effect trilogy, while it is a mix Role-Playing Game (RPG) and First Person Shooter (FPS), is a game about decisions that impact the story and even the outcome of the game (like a create your own adventure book). The game provides a Good vs Evil or Bad Cop vs Good Cop experience in decisions, choices and conversations via it's Paragon vs Renegade scale. Notice in this review how different conversation choices led to different outcomes (watch for 30 seconds). Such decisions also impact loyalty with squad members, romance, and the game experience.
Process
First, the Empathy Quotient, a 60 question questionnaire, is used as a pre-test to help determine where clients are at presently (Yes I am aware that it was designed to "[assess] the level of social impairment in certain disorders like Autism." But it is also "suitable for use as a casual measure of temperamental empathy by and for the general population.").
Second, play the Mass Effect trilogy. (But Josh, the game is rated M, for Mature, which is for ages 17+. That is true, but if your child/teen plays Borderlands, Call of Duty, Battlefield, and/or Grand Theft Auto V; Mass Effect is suitable). If the rating is questionable, consider reading the reviews on www.commonsensemedia.org for more information. Clients are encouraged to play a Paragon role, if not, notice the outcomes of playing as a Renegade vs Paragon.
Third, the Empathy Quotient is used again as a post test.
Hypothesis
The hope is that by having a slowed down conversation process where players can choose how to respond and decision making, that those skills will spill over to the real world. That noticing how Renegade and Paragon actions influence relationships, game play and outcomes will impact real world relationships. The measurable outcome is a higher score in the post-test than the pre-test.
The intervention is in it's infancy, but I am hopeful.
21 April 2015
10 Signs of Burnout
The following comes from Inc.com, recommend reading their article for more depth.
- Perpetual Exhaustion
- Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices
- Inability to Stop Thinking About Work
- Stress Related Health Problems
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Loss of Enjoyment in Daily Activities
- Increased Irritability at Home or Work
- Persistent Cynicism at Work
- Frequently Missing Work
- Poor Job Performance
16 April 2015
An Empirically-Supported Marriage
A blogger from Scientific America came up with an empirically supported marriage, and made the following recommendations:
#1: On a daily basis, think about what your spouse does that you value, and verbally express your gratitude.
#2: Everyone fights occasionally, and what determines whether couples stay together isn’t whether they fight, but rather how they fight. When disagreements arise, listen to your partner, acknowledge the role you had in the conflict, focus on specific behaviors rather than criticizing your partner’s personality, and share concerns in a polite, empathetic manner. Respect each other in good times and bad.
#3: Exciting activities that increase your heart rate will let you benefit from misattribution of arousal. So for the sake of your relationship continue traveling, exploring, mud-running, moving cross-country, and taking risks — as a team.
#4: Although it’s good to do things together, it’s also important to support each other’s personal freedom and autonomy. Help your partner continue to be that individual by respecting their personal goals and interests.
#1: On a daily basis, think about what your spouse does that you value, and verbally express your gratitude.
#2: Everyone fights occasionally, and what determines whether couples stay together isn’t whether they fight, but rather how they fight. When disagreements arise, listen to your partner, acknowledge the role you had in the conflict, focus on specific behaviors rather than criticizing your partner’s personality, and share concerns in a polite, empathetic manner. Respect each other in good times and bad.
#3: Exciting activities that increase your heart rate will let you benefit from misattribution of arousal. So for the sake of your relationship continue traveling, exploring, mud-running, moving cross-country, and taking risks — as a team.
#4: Although it’s good to do things together, it’s also important to support each other’s personal freedom and autonomy. Help your partner continue to be that individual by respecting their personal goals and interests.
14 April 2015
Five ideas to calm your mind before sleeping
The following five ideas came from a Globe & Mail article for trying to calm your mind before going to sleep:
- Jot it down
- Clear your head
- Imagine it away
- Do a reality check
- Get out of bed
It's important to remember that it is trail and error to see what will work for you. Also, give it more than one night to see if it is effective for you, before trying something else.
12 April 2015
CBC Marketplace's Brain Training: Mind Games #braintraining #dementia
This is a very fascinating episode as they tackle and uncover the market that is forming around increasing cognitive functioning, and in delaying dementia (not to mention my mom was in this episode, she's in the 3rd portion of it).
We're so pleased she participated & shared Josh. You should be proud. https://t.co/Wd1Tj8sCrx
— Tom Harrington (@cbctom) April 11, 2015
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