The multidimensional nature of early prosocial behavior: a motivational perspective

Paulus, Markus (15. September 2017): The multidimensional nature of early prosocial behavior: a motivational perspective. In: Current Opinion in Psychology, Vol. 20: pp. 111-116

Abstract

A majority of current work indicates that the different types of prosocial behavior in young children (helping, sharing, comforting) are not related to each other. Here, I review recent studies that examined the relations between prosocial actions as well as the antecedents and correlates of the particular domains of prosociality. I argue that in addition to different social-cognitive demands also different motivations are involved in early prosocial action, and that prosociality is thus a concept that encompasses – at least early in development – heterogeneous behaviors and motivations.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: prosocial behavior; mechanisms; motivation; interrelations; developmental theory
• Faculties: Psychology and Education Science > Department Psychology > Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie II
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology
• ISSN: 2352-250X
• Language: English