Virtue and vice in children's literature: A content analysis of best-selling American picture books

Abstract

In recent years, as a result of the “Positive Psychology” movement psychologists have proposed studying the origins and development of positive human characteristics traditionally known as virtues and character strengths. This dissertation used content analysis to determine whether these character strengths (called virtues in this work) and/or their opposing traits (called vices in this work) are present in today’s American children’s literature. The researcher and seven judges reviewed and scored 30 of the best-selling American picture books from 2006-2010. The results yielded a clear emphasis within the literature on the virtues of Kindness, Love, Creativity and Vitality. Many virtues such as Social intelligence, Curiosity and Love of learning were moderately depicted through the characters and their behavior. Some virtues were practically absent: Spirituality, Humility/Modesty, Self-Regulation and Forgiveness and Mercy. With regard to the vices, some were presented and then rejected by the storyline through the depiction of natural consequences or direct punishment: Closed-mindedness, Social ignorance, and Recklessness. Many of the vices (12 in total) did not appear within the sample. Finally, the results yielded a positive acceptance of the vices of Vanity, Impulsivity and Indulgence. These findings are discussed in light of literature on healthy child development and gender differences of formation needs in contemporary society.