Evaluation of a token system for juvenile delinquents in a residential setting

The influence of a token economy in a residential treatment facility for delinquents was evaluated in three areas of behavior: (a) in-house chore performance, (b) littering in the facility, and (c) school performance as reflected in daily evaluations by teachers. Chore performance and littering were influenced favorably by the token system. School performance, however, appeared to be unaffected by the reversal of the token program. Reasons for this finding are discussed and the need underscored that existing token systems evaluate the effectiveness of their program contingencies on a regular basis.