Research on virtue and character strenghts in a prison setting

[Thirdxthecharm]

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I am currently working on ideas for a thesis and would be really interested in seeing if there is research out there on positive psychology or virtue work in prison settings. I have tried to find stuff for about two weeks, but am not having much luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rivi]

I don't know much to tell you other than to browse through google scholar and ebsco/psyc info, etc.

If there is nothing out there on this, then this would be an even better study to do. It sounds really interesting and I would definitely read this article.

 

[justme08]

I'm not sure what virtue work is. I've read some studies on bibliotherapy in prison settings (not sure if that relates for you).

I'm not sure what you are looking at studying. I just read, for a psych class, about Allport and intrinsic vs extrinsic religion. Maybe something like determining what traits allow a prisoner to benefit (whatever you are trying to determine) from positive psych and somehow looking at intrinsic and extrinsic reasons. Like, I want to study virtues or learn this psych stuff, so I can be a better person and eventually a good member of society and help others who find themselves in similiar situations, be a better parent... vs. I want to do this because the person teaching it is cute, I'm bored and it gives me something different to do, they may let me out of here early if I do this...

Sorry, I'm just throwing some stuff out there. I agree, it sounds interesting.

 

[Thirdxthecharm]

I guess I was pretty vague. I guess I have just been reading a lot about positive psychology and within that character building and virtues. I've read some stuff on happiness and its effects on people, but can't find anything about any of the work being done in prison. I emailed Dr. Seligman, since he is the founding father and would probably know if research is being done in that area, but I don't expect a reply from him.

I personally would like to see a group conducted that focused on studying virtues with inmates and building on their character strengths to see how that effects a. their lifestyle while in prison (how their cell mates see them, how they act with guards, etc.) and b. if it does anything once they are released from prison (slower recidivism rate, better quality of life). I just think it seems like a lofty idea for a master's thesis, but definitely think with the positive psychology movement that it might be well received by journals.

Thanks for all the input.