Emergence of Self-Concept, Moral Development & the Impact of Relationship

Question 1

What is self-concept?

Answer 1

Self concept describes how a person thinks about and evaluates themselves, including their personal attributes and the value which they place on themselves

It is made up of three concepts; self-image, ideal-self, self-worth

Question 2

What is moral development?

Answer 2

Moral development is the process by which people learn what is right and wrong, and how to act accordingly, as they grow from infancy through to adulthood

This includes thoughts, behaviours, feelings regarding standards of right and wrong

Question 3

What is prosocial behaviour and why do we act prosocially?

Question 4

What are the theories of moral development?

Question 5

What factors contribute to prosocial behaviour development?

Question 6

Why do we help others?

Answer 6

Sense of belonging: helpful people feel part of their community, helps make new friends

Strengthens relationships: can help create bonds with people who have similar interests and values

Good feelings/ boosted self esteem: helpful people feel competent, have reduced stress and avoid conflict

Distraction: distracts people from their own life’s/ problems

Question 7

What are the benefits of prosocial behaviour?

Question 8

What are the six categories of prosocial behaviour (Carlo, 2006)

Question 9

How does the parent-child relationship relate to prosocial behaviour?

Question 10

Internalization of parental values

Answer 10

A child internalizes parental values through a process called identification where they imitate and adopt their parents values and behaviours

Key goal of parental socialization

Factors affecting this:
• Parenting style
• Disclipine techniques
• Parental warmth
• Child’s perception

Question 11

How do siblings influence prosocial behavioural development?

Question 12

How do peer groups influence prosocial behavioural development?

Question 13

How does the school environment influence prosocial behavioural development?

Question 14

Describe sex differences in prosocial behaviour

Answer 14

Gender Roles

Girls; more communal, focus on harmony and emotional support, higher levels of empathy

Boys; strategic, offer help in intense situations, public prosocial behaviour

Question 15

Describe cultural differences in prosocial behaviour

Question 16

What is Piaget’s view of moral development?

Answer 16

Unconcerned with morality; developing motor and social skills

Respect for rules; submit to authority and unquestioningly follow rules

Rules are arbitrary; children understand rules are made by people and can be changed through group consensus. They consider intentions of actor as well as the consequences of the action

Question 17

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Piaget’s view of moral development?

Answer 17

Strengths:
• Cross-cultural validity
• Explains how children think and later act
• Focuses on emergence of moral concept

Weaknesses:
• Underestimation of abilities
• Fixed developmental stages
• Ignores social influences such as peers/ parents

Question 18

Describe Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

Question 19

What are strengths and weaknesses of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development