Book Review. Game Frame. Lv.3 – Application

Welcome to cloudthinking!

This series is about learning from games in order to get more out of life .  If you haven’t read the first two posts now is a good time.

Game Life Lv.1 – Play

Game Life Lv.2 – Structure

I have been writing this series based on a presentation given by Aaron Dignan for the 99%.  I have also been adding my perspective as a student of human behavior and cloudthinker.  A few days ago I bought Aaron’s book Game Frame.  It has been a fun and neurologically rewiring experience.  If you like the content of these posts you will love the book.  If you don’t like these posts, you may still love the book.

The Game Frame structure (see Lv.2 and illustration below) makes it pretty clear why games captivate us.  Certain behaviors are encouraged during a game.  We are rewarded based on our performance.  When we fail, we get to try again, after receiving feedback.

In chapters 7 and 8 of Game Frame Mr. Dignan talks about behavioral games.

A behavioral game is a real world activity modified by a system of skills-based play.   – Game Frame p.81

It is important to point out a few things here.

1. Behaviors are observable and quantifiable.

2. Monopoly money isn’t real money.

Number one is vital for understanding how to structure a behavioral game.  The person designing the game must know which behaviors will be rewarded and which will not.  Think of this process as shaping the desired behavior.

Number two speaks of rewards themselves. Behavioral games are about experiencing progress, mastering skills, and social recognition.  When Monopoly is over you don’t go to the bank and make a deposit.

Here is an example of a behavioral game I invented and used successfully to teach teenagers with higher functioning autism how to cook.

Game Title: The King’s Chef

Objective: Learn to master functional skills and increase independence from adult assistance.

Outcome:

1. If you win, you gain the honor of becoming the King’s Chef.  This was to be represented with a flashy looking certificate.  You also gain recognition from your family and a tasty meal.

2. If you lose, you remain a lowly dishwasher… You do not get the same social recognition, and the meal might not be as tasty.

Activity: Make mashed potatoes.

Player Profile: A teenager with higher functioning autism.

Action: Peeling potatoes, mashing potatoes, measurements, etc.

Black Box: Me aka The King.

Feedback: Delivered immediately.  Player earns tally marks on a small white board for executing actions correctly.  Player levels up each 10 tally marks. When something was done wrong, they were told how to do it better.  When something was done right, they were verbally praised and received tally marks.

Skills: Fine motor, basic math, following directions.

Resources: All the ingredients were provided from the beginning.

Resistance: A timer was used as a deadline.  I would make an overly dramatic spectacle of myself (e.g. a PG rated Gordon Ramsey).

How much more fun does this sound compared to, “Ok Tommy, go make some mashed potatoes. All the stuff you need is in the kitchen and you can read the directions on the box”  Imagine how complex this task would seem to someone who has no experience in a kitchen?  It would boggle the mind, cause frustration, and ultimately they would not master new skills and become independent of adult assistance.

But they all did master skills and, most importantly, they learned to enjoy cooking.  The certificate was cool for a week but the lasting reward was becoming a master of skills aka The King’s Chef.

I really can’t get enough of this topic so I will write one more post.  I have yet to explore the reaches of behavioral games in our lives: adults with “real world” concerns.  I truly believe that utilizing the Game Frame can make life feel more engaging and rewarding.

Here is a funwork assignment. Take 20 minutes to apply the Game Frame to an activity you would like to get better at but find it hard to sustain motivation.  It can be anything: getting in better shape, networking, finishing a screenplay, building stronger relationships with your family. From my experience applying the Game Frame isolate areas I tend to overlook.

Thanks for stopping in and have a good weekend.

Thoughts Up.