Date of Defense
5-5-2020
Date of Graduation
4-2020
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Kevin Knutson
Second Advisor
Deanna Bush
Abstract
In an ever-changing world of crime, prisons stand as some of the most critical places in need of reform, rehabilitation, and maintenance. There exists an unfortunate gap in prisoner treatment regarding mental health. Efforts have been made to improve this situation, but further work is required to reach more acceptable levels of mental health. This paper analyzes the potential effects of an increased utilization of music therapy on inmate behavior in correctional settings such as prison. To address this, a comparison is made between some basic methods of music therapy treatment and their potential benefits for those who are incarcerated. Points are made by comparing and analyzing literature on music therapy and drawing conclusions based on currently available information about the effects of music therapy and what it can offer. Music therapy has a high potential to allow inmates to improve upon themselves and their relationships with others. This study concludes that further research is needed to better understand the effects of music therapy on inmate behavior and notes the strong potential music therapy holds to achieve overall better mental health levels and behavior of incarcerated individuals.
Recommended Citation
Glew, Virgil, "The Effects of Music and Music Therapy on Inmate Behavior" (2020). Honors Theses. 3252.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3252
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Restricted
Restricted to Campus until
1-14-2021