Fighting with Fire: Effects of a Token Economy System on Maladaptive Aggression — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

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Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Fighting with Fire: Effects of a Token Economy System on Maladaptive Aggression

Name: Kelly Sundstedt
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Roscoe, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Dennis Munk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

The participant of this study was hypothesized to use maladaptive aggression and defiance as coping mechanisms in stressful and unfamiliar situations. Numerous studies have been conducted on the treatments of these behaviors. This research, along with treatment recommendations by clinicians, have provided a foundation for possible interventions. However, a consensus on the best treatment plan for these behaviors has not been reached. The present study examined the effects of a token economy system on the prevalence of aggressive and defiant behaviors. The participant of this study was an eight year-old male who displayed these negative behaviors. Behaviors exhibited included noncompliance and verbal and physical threats toward the self and others. Rewards were given when the subject demonstrated self-control and refrained from using aggression or defiance as a coping mechanism. The results produced a negative trend in aggression and defiance once the treatment was implemented. The findings of this study suggest that a token economy system helps decrease occurrences of aggression and defiance in children.

Poster file