3405 Im Positive Description and Rubric
DOWNLOAD THE GAME ON TO YOUR COMPUTER BELOW (using either the windows, mac, or linux version based on your computer)
If using a City Tech computer, please see library technician for assistance downloading.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/im-positive/I%27m+Positive+Win32.zip
https://s3.amazonaws.com/im-positive/I%27m+Positive+MacOS.zip
https://s3.amazonaws.com/im-positive/I%27m+Positive+Linux.zip
Downloading tips: Once you’ve downloaded the .zip file, select the Impositive.exe file and choose “extract all”. From there, a second folder will emerge, from which you can open the application (by clicking the now extracted Impositive.exe file) Be sure to attempt to download this program so you can complete the assignment! I will be sure to share these instructions with you in class Thursday for those needing assistance.
Please download and run the application. To complete should be approx. 25 minutes. You will be expected to generate a reflection based on your experience with the game. You are encouraged to share your immediate reactions below.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Karil Davidson
Psych3405 HD31
I’m Positive
During the game, I was asked many questions that are depending how I answered, would indicate whether I was being honest with myself, facing the frightening possibility of having the virus, or choosing to be in denial. Most of the choices I made were choices that would be frightening in a real situation, but necessary. When the call is first received, I would wonder in the back of my mind that something was up, either good news or bad news. So I would respond in a friendly manner with a “Hey, it’s been a while” and respond to her asking about the family in a courteous manner. Upon learning that she had HIV, I would sympathize and say I’m sorry. When she suggests that I get tested, I would reassure her that I would. It is a horrible thing to have to tell someone that they might have HIV, but either person could have given it to the other, hard to place the blame even though I would be scared, angry, numb even. I would get tested as quickly as possible, by my doctor, not a clinic. I would feel more comfortable because we have a relationship. Since I am not given that choice in the game, I would go to a clinic.
I would explain why I was there, mostly out of a need to talk and nervousness. The rapid test is easy and 99% accurate, and although afraid, I would be relieved to know the results in thirty minutes rather than having it in my mind, wondering in limbo. Out of curiosity, I asked if I could ever have children, and learned about sperm washing. I had never heard of that prior. The decision to tell John at the same time as the rest of the family was to avoid John walking into the birthday dinner upset. It would give me more control in deciding when to share the diagnosis. I would choose to tell the family rather than keep it to myself because I know they wouldn’t be judgmental, only supportive and sad of course. It is hard to keep a secret from family anyway; they can always sense when something is up. I would choose to be compliant in my treatment, and I know it is no longer a death sentence.
When playing the game the choices I made were based on some knowledge of the disease, and its effects, how serious, and the need to be monitored forever. Whether I made those choices because I am older, and hopefully wiser, or because I have been in healthcare for over 20 years, facts are facts; there is no denying or sugar-coating the reality of HIV/AIDS. After my first responses, which were my most honest, I went back and played many alternate scenarios just for curiosity, and to see how some people choose other options. I think that the choices may occasionally change, depend on other factors in someone’s life, the current ability to cope. For example, if the call came while a loved one is suffering from cancer, there might be a delay in taking charge of my own health issues. That is not denial; it is just a matter of being overwhelmed, too much on the plate. It may be on the back burner for the present, but definitely another priority to deal with asap.
The Theory of Planned Behavior is most applicable to my decision making. Positivity and realistic beliefs and attitude are directly related to outcome. My choices reflect this. The diagnosis may be the same, but the way I choose to live with it depends on me. After the initial shock of the diagnosis along with the sadness, anger, there comes a time to choose how to live with the disease. Will it consume me? Will I become accepting and realize that there is still a lot of living to do? I would hope that I would put my life in perspective, and not sweat the small stuff. My normal beliefs would be to trust my doctor and be compliant with medication and follow-up visits. What motivates me is the knowledge that compliance is the key influence on my health forever and believing I can maintain control of my health by compliance, eating, exercising, and getting good sleep. I will feel better, empower myself, and get into the best shape I have ever been in. My intent is directly confronting the issue, taking responsibility for the quality of my life. My behavior will be positive, include making the time to take care of myself and finding ways to improve the quality of my life.
What I could have done differently, would be performing a home test instead of going to a clinic to be tested. This would not have been a good decision because I would be alone with the results. I find that thought terrifying. I don’t see any positive outcome to testing at home. The result would be delaying the inevitable, which is going for retesting to confirm the result, and it would possibly delay the start of treatment. A home test would not be covered by insurance so the test would be an out of pocket expense.
My feelings while playing the game were mixed. Feeling afraid of the test result was a negative feeling. But as it is said, “fear is motivation turned inside out.” Even though I was afraid to do the right thing and get tested, I went ahead and decided to get tested. The positive feelings came with the decision to share the diagnosis with the family, and allow me to be comforted. The decision to take the call seriously and to get tested without procrastination is an example of problem-focused cognitive coping. The decision was made to work on the problem. Seeking the comfort and support of family is how I would deal with the diagnosis. This is an example of emotion-focused cognitive coping.
The I’m Positive game informative, interactive, and just long enough to provide eye-opening information without the player losing interest. I’m Positive would be an effective tool for kids ages thirteen thru eighteen, played in school as part of a Health Education curriculum. It is a positive introduction to a discussion of a topic kids don’t want to know about while their hormones are raging.
Good work Karil– Please be sure to upload this document onto Blackboard for grading tomorrow!
-AA
I like that the game took a more positive outlook when it comes to HIV. The way that it conveys general information regarding the illness was also straightforward and worded simply. I feel like the younger generation (which the game is clearly directed to), would be more receptive to the information in here, as they can pick and choose which details they needed for themselves. Additionally, the help available out there was indeed very encouraging, especially the free clinics, which hopefully would, in turn, encourage ‘at risk’ populations to take advantage of them.