ERIC Number: EJ957379
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Feb
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 34
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0255-7614
Harmony within the Walls: Perceptions of Worthiness and Competence in a Community Prison Choir
Cohen, Mary L.
International Journal of Music Education, v30 n1 p46-56 Feb 2012
Based on theories that low self-esteem is related to criminal activity (Oser, 2006) and high self-esteem derives from competence and worthiness (Harter, 1985; Mruk, 2006), this study measured changes in community singers' attitudes toward prisoners and documented changes in prisoner singers' perceptions of their social competence. Participants included 22 prisoners and 22 community members over a 12-week choral program in a medium-security Midwest state prison. Community members completed an Attitudes Toward Prisoners Scale (ATPS) before meeting the prisoners and after the group's concert. All answered open-ended questions summarizing the choir experience. Results indicated a significant difference (p less than 0.01) between pre- and post-measurements on the community singers' ATPS. Two categories emerged from the open-ended answers: relationships with others and self-gratification. Five subcategories under relationships with others emerged from prisoner singers' data: feeling respected, getting along with others, making friends, connecting to something outside prison, and improving family relationships. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Institutionalized Persons, Singing, Crime, Correctional Institutions, Family Relationship, Interpersonal Competence, Self Esteem, Community Attitudes, Rating Scales, Social Attitudes, Interpersonal Relationship, Music Education
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A

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