What is prosocial behaviour?
two factors that make up prosocial behavior
Empathy and sympathy
children at age 2 on prosocial behavior:
children start to more clearly differentiate between another’s emotional distress and their own (responses can still be egocentric
children at age 2-3 on prosocial behavior:
frequency and variety of young children’s prosocial behaviours increase, although they don’t regularly act in prosocial ways
children’s prosocial behavior in preschool to adolescence
increase
young vs. old children on motivation for prosocial behavior
Eisenberg’s stage of prosocial behavior
Eisenberg’s level 1: hedonistic, self-focused orientation
Eisenberg’s level 2: needs-based orientation
Eisenberg’s level 3: approval and/or stereotyped orientation
Eisenberg’s level 4a: self-reflective empathic orientation
Eisenberg’s level 4b: transitional level
Internalize values, norms, responsibilities, concern for larger society
Eisenberg’s level 5: strongly internalized stage
Everything based on values, norms and responsibilities; desire to maintain obligations and improve society; belief in dignity of all individuals
supportive and constructive parenting related to…
higher prosocial behaviour
Physical punishment, threats, authoritarian parenting related to…
lower sympathy and prosocial behaviour
Physical rewards for prosocial behaviour…
decreases motivation later for prosocial behaviour if reward is not present
Punishment for not using prosocial behaviours leads …
child to believe reason for helping is to avoid punishment
3 primary ways parents can socialize prosocial behaviours:
Modelling and teaching prosocial behaviour
Reasoning that points out consequences or child’s behaviour for others and encourages perspective taking, promotes voluntary prosocial behavior
Television and video games influence on children:
children who watch prosocial TV tend to exhibit this behaviour immediately after the show
- Effects not lasting, but increased when parents role play prosocial behaviour seen on TV or provide child with play material that reinforces prosocial theme
Cultural contributions to prosocial behavior
In more prosocial cultures, children often live in extended families —> may help them learn that they were responsible for others, and helping behaviour was valued
Genetic contributions to prosocial behavior
Piaget’s stages of moral judgement
Piaget’s Heteronomous morality