MOJ Public Health Research Article Open Access A token economy: an approach used for behavior modifications among disruptive primary school children Abstract Volume 7 Issue 3 - 2018 Introduction: For decades, academic and non-academic researchers have been Samantha Shakespeare,1 Vincent M S examining the issue of school-based violence, especially disruptive behaviour 2 2 exhibited by students including those at the primary level. Despite the plethora of Peterkin, Paul Andrew Bourne 1 studies and intervention programmes implemented in school including Peace and Love Catholic College of Mandeville, Jamaica 2 in Schools (PALS), bullying, physical confrontations, and other types of disruptive Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica behaviours are on the rise, and there appears to be no ending in sight. Correspondence: Paul Andrew Bourne, Statistician, Objective: This research seeks to examine and determine the impact that the token Department of Quality Management and Institutional Research, economy system as a behaviour modifier has on disruptive behaviour in classrooms Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, among a group of primary level students in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. Tel +(1 876) 566-3088, Email
[email protected] Methods: This study employed mixed methodologies (i.e. objectivism (survey Received: February 07, 2018 | Published: May 17, 2018 research) and subjectivism (phenomenology) in an effort to comprehensively understand the phenomenon. The sample size is 40 students; 21 girls and 19 boys, and the classroom teacher. These students exhibited behaviours which disrupted the teaching and learning process. This has created a problem within our classrooms. In order to alleviate this problem an eight weeks’ intervention plan was carried out.