What is their posture B F Skinner

A very fun group game that is innovative and involves all the members of a group. 

Benefits of What is their posture game by B F Skinner

• Most enjoyable
• Encourages imagination
• Produces fun and laughter
• Whole group takes part
• There are no props required

What is their posture Experiential Group Team Building

In order to help us to understand this exercise, we need to know who B F Skinner is and what he does. Doctor B F Skinner was a famous “Human Movement Behaviorist” and was renowned for his research in human behavior and movement. He acquired the theory of “Reinforcement”, which means he proved that humans could be inspired to do anything if their movements were “Reinforced”.

This reminds us of the game we used to play often when we were children, known as “Getting Warmer”. When something had been hidden and we had to find it, our parents or older brothers and sisters would encourage us by saying the words “You are getting warmer, you are hot, or you are cold getting cooler etc.” 

So, when playing BF Skinner, these thoughts must be in your mind in order to understand what to do and what is required of you. To begin with, you will need two volunteers who will then be asked to leave the playing area. Those remaining group members will then perform the challenge. Be sure to make everything clear at the beginning of the activity.

The whole objective for the pair of volunteers, who will leave the playing area, is for them to properly show the precise bodily posture that was chosen by the remaining members of the group. Since they were asked to leave the area, they will not see what is going on.

An example of a body positions that a group can decide on:

• Two people facing each other with the one placing their hand on the other person’s head, while the partner places their hand on the others shoulder.

As soon as the volunteer pair leaves the playing area, get two more volunteers to come out in front of the group. They must take up a body position I front of the group, so everybody can see.

Now that everyone knows what is expected, let the volunteer pair return to the playing area and by working together they must try and find out, by experimenting, what the required bodily position or movement is.   

The trick is, none of the members of the group are allowed to communicate verbally with the pair or are allowed to answer their questions. All that they will get from the group is their hand clapping.   

As soon as the pair performs any act or movement that looks similar to the required posture, they will clap. Say for instance, one of them turns to face the other, then the group will clap louder and more excitedly. This is very much like the game “Getting Warmer” that we used to play as children. The group will clap more enthusiastically the closer the pair approach the precise bodily position. 

Experience shows that most pairs will be successful within 5 minutes. If this time period is exceeded, you will run the risk of the pair giving up. Try to encourage the pair by giving them some tips, for example, tell them what part of their bodies they should concentrate on moving. If the groups clapping begin to quiet down, urge the pair to try something completely different than their previous movements.  

Due to the fact that the group knows what the correct position is, you can be in for a great deal of fun and laughter. This because the volunteer pair will come up with many different positions before they are successful. Just ensure that group rewards the pair with ecstatic clapping when they are successful. 

When the first pair have successfully completed the task, select a second pair and start the game all over again. You can play the game until you feel that the group’s enthusiasm is fading.  

There are a number of different variations that you can add to this exercise such as:

• Group Formations: Instead of using two people, try the exercise using three or four. Then let them form a bodily position ensuring that they are all physically touching one another in some form or way.
• Consider the game “In the Manner of the Word” for more excitement and fun involving the whole group.

Step-by-step Instructions for What is their posture

• Gather the whole group together in a place that is large with room enough to move forward easily.
• Choose two volunteers and have them leave the area, this is so that they are unaware of what you are planning to do next.
• With the two volunteers out of the area or room, let the rest of the group decide on a distinctive bodily posture that includes two people. For instance, this may involve two people standing facing each other with their hands placed on top of their heads.   
• Get the two volunteers to return and have them stand in front of the group.
• These two volunteers now must work together in order to find out what the distinctive bodily posture is, that the group decided upon.
• All the members of the group are now allowed to converse with the volunteer pair. 
• The group must now help the volunteer pair, by clapping as they appear to get closer to or further away from the correct body positions.
• They must clap faster or more excitedly as the pair appears to be getting closer, or slower and less excitedly as they move further away from the required bodily posture. 
• You can give the pair around 5 minutes of attempting to guess correctly and then you can allow certain clues, which will guide them in the right direction.
• The minute the pair actually are in the desired bodily positions, or close enough to it, the whole group can give them a jubilant hand-clapping.
• This game can be repeated with more pairs of volunteers.    

Facilitating tips for “What is their posture”

When giving the group the instructions on how to get the required bodily posture, insist that it be kept simple. If the position is too difficult, then there is the possibility that the pair will never complete the task, which is no fun at all.

As this exercise requires the participants to perform, let the group clap as the volunteer pair enter the playing area. Then let them clap again when the pair completes the task.

The group can consist of a minimum of 12 people for this exercise, but if there are more, this is even better.

As we have already discussed, if the pair appears to be battling, complete the exercise by giving them some clues. The whole task is meant to be a lot of fun and not a test. So, if more than 5 minutes expires without a solution, then let the pair be rewarded when it appears that they are close enough to the required position.  

Consider playing a selection game first, instead of just choosing volunteers. You could select participants who feel embarrassed, and then you might not get eager volunteers for the next round. This exercise is perfect for team building and evening activity occasions in presentations.

Questions, Tips, Reflections and Strategies

In order to gauge the group’s reaction to this exercise, it is important to ask a few questions such as:

• Was it easy to produce a continual flow of ideas?
• Did you experience any form of emotions during the game? Were they healthy, or Unhealthy?
• At any stage in the game where you aggravated? How did you handle it?
• The group’s clapping for you how did you feel? Did it help in any way?
• Have you ever in your life been prompted to do something with a non-verbal command?