A discussion of the way in which persons become institutionalized and institutionally socialized is presented. Special attention is given to the form these processes take in the institution of prison. The concept of 'situational control' is discussed and elaborated upon as a perspective from which to view the causes of human behavior. The potency of situational control and social 'roles' in institutional settings is emphasized. Included is a section designed to convey a personal, phenomenological perspective on prison conditions, followed by an analytical treatment of social control in prison. Parallels between prison degradation and dehumanization, and the processes by which persons become 'socialized into criminality' in society at large are suggested. The role of social science in investigating and disseminating information about these forms of social control is discussed. (Author).
Criminal Behavior explores crime as a developmental process from birth through early adulthood. It further examines the role that legal, political, and criminal justice systems play in the development of criminal behavior.
Virtue as Social Intelligence: An Empirically Grounded Theory takes on the claims of philosophical situationism, the ethical theory that is skeptical about the possibility of human virtue. Influenced by social psychological studies, philosophical situationists argue that human personality is too fluid and fragmented to support a stable set of virtues. They claim that virtue cannot be grounded in empirical psychology. This book argues otherwise. Drawing on the work of psychologists Walter Mischel and Yuichi Shoda, Nancy E. Snow argues that the social psychological experiments that philosophical situationists rely on look at the wrong kinds of situations to test for behavioral consistency. Rather than looking at situations that are objectively similar, researchers need to compare situations that have similar meanings for the subject. When this is done, subjects exhibit behavioral consistencies that warrant the attribution of enduring traits, and virtues are a subset of these traits. Virtue can therefore be empirically grounded and virtue ethics has nothing to fear from philosophical situationism.
Covers the rapidly developing and increasingly professionalized field of contemporary prison practice with its increased emphasis on skills and qualifications and its new set of ideas and concepts.
Ten new essays illuminate the idea of character in relation to the findings of psychology and draw out the implications for our moral interactions, education, responsibility, and punishment. They explore the dynamic nature of character, its close integration with social context, and the conceptual affinity of moral philosophy and social psychology.
In this book, the author proposes the existence of a continuum of aggressive marginalisation phenomena, ranging from the unfortunately commonplace experiences of prejudice, discrimination and bullying behaviour, through to genocide. Attempts made by researchers and practitioners to understand, counter and prevent bullying behaviour are reviewed. A key finding has been that the success that has been accrued has been limited, especially when the case of those who belong to so-called ‘minority’ groups (who are often the target of prejudice outside of the school gates) is considered; it is suggested that future anti-bullying actions should meaningfully engage with prejudice as an underlying factor. After a critical consideration of the various psychological understandings of aggression, aggressive behaviour and marginalisation has been made, the author goes on to introduce and assess an eight-stage model of physical genocide, based primarily on insights from social cognitive psychology, and exemplified in the history of the Lakota-Cheyenne Campaign (1864–1890). This is followed by a consideration of the cultural genocide levelled against indigenous peoples (exemplified in the Sami people in Norway, and indigenous peoples of North America), as implemented through the actions of educational systems and educators. The book ends with some suggestions being made regarding our potential to address the ‘One’ and ‘Other’ mindset that is proposed as underlying the continuum of aggressive marginalisation phenomena – through the psychological understandings that we can offer, the educational practice that we can provide, and in the conscious acts of the affirmation of humanity we can make in our individual and collective choices. Stephen James Minton is a lecturer in the psychology of education at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He has extensive experience in the fields of anti-bullying research and practice, and is interested in the histories and psychosocial situations, and especially the educational experiences, of marginalised people and groups.
Bringing together experts in the fields of social science, forensic psychology and criminal justice, Using Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending addresses what truly works in reducing violent offending, promoting an approach to correctional policy grounded in an evidence-based and nuanced understanding of human behavior.
Beyond the Walls of Separation is an essential and easy-to-read guidebook for chaplains and volunteers working in the context of prison, and for all those who are professionally or through family links related to those in prison. The book tells the story of what life behind bars is, and how inmates experience transformation through Christian faith: People at the crisis points of their life, where they are shattered, and where little is left of what made them, may experience life as fragile and as a transparent filter for the mysterious. Yet they also may experience God's life-giving presence. Love, expressed in forgiveness--against all odds, against all merits and previous experiences--lies at the root of many stories of transformation that emerge from prison. The book guides visitors to approach inmates without condescension, with an awareness of the social dimension of power and inequality, and with sensitivity to the suffering and alienation that individual prisoners experience. The many years of prison ministry in different cultural contexts and with inmates from all nations have taught the author that Christ does not need to be brought to prison through visitors, through evangelistic events, or through Christian outreach. He is already powerfully present in prison.
