Addiction Simulation

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amanda (Harmon) Vanderbur on February 7, 2009 at 7:22pm

Yes, I would be interested in seeing the ice cube addiction lab! Sounds cool! Is your AP class a 1 or 2 semester class? What text book do you use? We are currently doing textbook adoption in Indiana, so I'd be interested in any feedback you have. I'm leaning toward re-adopting David Myers' text, but am open to other ideas. Our class is 2 semesters.

Permalink Reply by Gary C. Horton on February 8, 2009 at 1:26pm

Well hello again! I have uploaded documentation for you on ice cube addiction. In a nutshell the students are told that from that day on they must have an ice cube in ALL of their beverages -- even me! They must not talk about it or explain in to their friends, family, or partners. Drug taking in socially frowned upon so we can't tell ANYONE about it. Some find it easy (ie. cube maker on their frig) Other will find it challenging (ie athletes). To add to the addiction we have a mock track marks in an ugly bracelet of twine. Again, track marks are unsightly and socially unacceptable. So the bracelet must be kept hidden and never explained!!! This is an awesome lab. As soon as you start it you are suddenly so thirsty :- D I had a parent call me after the lab was done --- crying???? What? She was so hurt that she didn't catch her daughter with the ice cubes and felt sad that she never even noted it???? Amanda this is a great lab and greater if you involve yourself!!!!

Attachments:

• Ice Addiction.doc, 51 KB
• Ice Journaling.doc, 21 KB
• AA testing.doc, 43 KB

Permalink Reply by Gary C. Horton on February 8, 2009 at 1:34pm

Now about the textbook and your other questions. I do AP online. It begins in Sept and ends in May. I have face to face classes once or twice a week. I have 4 blocks of Psych, 1 AP and 2 Biology. The book I use for Psych is Huffman's Psych in Action. Love it. I haven't been impressed with the newer "Canadian" psych textbooks. I teach like Plotnik's Psych and will be buying his book instead shortly. I run case studies each unit. Fun! Now as far as the AP is concerned -- yep, I'm using Meyers' too. I bought the modular one -- yuck. Never again -- too much fluff and too much reading. I think the "Bible" in AP in Canada AP is still Meyers' textbook. Please do tell me which one you adopt. I am impressed with Plotnik, Coombs, Passer, and Zimbardo.

Permalink Reply by Phil Leswing on March 4, 2009 at 8:54am

I too use the Eyeskube activity. I switched to hospital bracelets this year, and it was great because they couldn't take them off and more people asked questions. I also get the adminstration involved by telling them about the activity so they can be on the lookout for "users". This addition has upped the intensity of the activity.

Amanda--Hope to see you next Friday at IUPUI.

Permalink Reply by Gary C. Horton on March 4, 2009 at 9:30am

Phil, are you ready for this. I had a parent call me -- crying? Yes, crying??? She was so hurt that she didn't see her daughter's addictive behaviour at all. She felt so bad that if her daughter was truly addicted she would have never noticed. This activity is one of my favs. I have had great reactions and fabulous conversations. Just last year one of my grade 12 students was proud to show me his NA(narcotics anonymous) black key thob. The black thob represents multiple years of clean and sober. Wow, multiple years! This means he found his life was falling apart from drug usage at 17 years old. Yikes! Great activity.