To download this document in PDF form, click
here.
Background:
This test helps a gamer see how his/her gaming fits in with
other life priorities.
Use this test with children, teens, and adults to help them
form a more realistic picture of their attachment to gaming.
A true-life priority needs three ingredients: thought,
feeling, and behavior. Only one or two ingredients does
not make a priority.
For example, I may think that I value education, but then
never study. Education is only a priority if I feel motivated
and then act on it. Conversely, behavior alone does not
necessarily mean something is a priority. For example, I
may show up at a place of worship regularly so the behavior
indicates that I value my religion. However, the real reason
I show up is because I think it will make me look good in
the eyes of my boss who attends the service regularly.
Helping a person form an honest picture of his/her life
priorities involves assessing which activities are those
where thinking, feeling, and behavior come together.
"I'd Rather" Test:
1. With this background in mind ask the gamer you are concerned
about to write down a list of all the things they do during
the course of a week. The list usually includes things like
eating, sleeping, spending time with family, playing a sport,
engaging in a hobby, school and/or work, chores, going to
movies, studying, hanging out with friends, etc.
2. Then have the gamer check as many of the following statements
he/she thinks are true.
True
I'd rather play games than hang out with my friends.
I'd rather play games than play any sports.
I'd rather play games than spend time with my family.
I'd rather play games than eat.
I'd rather play games than sleep.
I'd rather play games than talk on the phone.
I'd rather play games than go to school or work.
I'd rather play games than go to a movie.
I'd rather play games than watch TV.
I'd rather play games than watch TV.
I'd rather play games than listening to music.
I'd rather play games than exercise.
Now, list the things you'd rather do
than play video games.
1.__________________________________________
2.__________________________________________
3.__________________________________________
If you have trouble thinking of things you'd rather
do than play video games, they may have become the
most important priority in your life. This could be
the start of a slippery slope to video game addiction.
Background:
