Token Economies in Residential Care Systems: Are They Bad Practice?

The purpose for this paper is to present a measured perspective on the empirical literature examining point and level (P&L) systems in residential care settings. We review the history of P&L and eight of the most common criticisms of its use in residential care settings. The relative merits of each of the criticisms are discussed. There is no empirical research support for the criticisms of P&L when well-implemented. There are, nonetheless, barriers to success that arise when P&L program are not well-executed. Effective P&L programs are characterized by developing positive relationships, maintain high ratios of positive to negative feedback, are individualized to each youth's needs, have appropriate tolerances, and systematically fade youth off P&L in preparation for returning to their families or independent living.