W5 Prosocial Behaviour and Moral Development

Question 1

What is morality?

Answer 1

To distinguish right from wrong, act on this distinction and experience pride or shame due to these actions.

Question 2

What are the four main categories of Prosocial behaviour?

Answer 2

Helping, Sharing, Cooperating, Comforting (empathic helping)

Question 3

Describe the development of prosocial behaviour in

infancy and childhood

Answer 3

Emerges in first two years of life, Understanding joint action at 10-14 months

Question 4

When do the prosocial behaviours emerge?

Answer 4

Helping, Sharing, Cooperating, 14-18 months

Comforting (empathic helping) 2.5 years

Question 5

How does Antisocial Behaviour show itself in Childhood

Answer 5

Callous-unemotional traits
 Lack of empathy/guilt, manipulative use of others
 Poor emotion-recognition for cues of fear and distress
 Delayed maturation of brain regions linked to morality and
empathy

Conduct disorder
 Severe and chronic antisocial behaviour
 Disruptive and violent
 Refusal to follow rules

Question 6

What shapes prosocial behaviour?

Answer 6

Evolutionary basis
Empathy
Cognitive Development
Parenting style
Mental state language
Sibling interactions

Question 7

What’s the Evolutionary Basis of being prosocial?

Answer 7

Cooperation = better survival