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2 - Developmental Theories of Prosociality

from Part I - Development of Prosociality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2023

By
Tracy L. Spinrad  and
Nancy Eisenberg
Edited by
Tina Malti  and
Maayan Davidov
Tina Malti
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Maayan Davidov
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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Summary

In this chapter, we review developmental theories of prosocial behavior. We begin by briefly discussing the ways in which the grand theories of development have been used to explain prosocial development, as well as some of the major biologically oriented arguments. We then present a comprehensive model of prosocial behavior that includes the multiple individual and contextual factors that contribute to prosocial actions in children. Next, we discuss the multidimensional nature of young children’s prosocial behavior – a topic of considerable research in the last decade – and suggest ways that the comprehensive model is relevant for prosocial development in very young children.

Keywords

prosocial behaviorprosocial developmenttheories of prosocial behaviorempathy/sympathygenetic bases of prosocial behaviorbiological bases of prosocial behaviorheuristic model of prosocial behavior
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Prosociality
Development, Mechanisms, Promotion
 , pp. 17 - 36
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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