Early Adolescence and Prosocial/Moral Behavior I:

Abstract

In this introductory article, the purpose of the special issue on prosocial and moral development during early adolescence is presented. This issue is the first of two special issues and focuses on the role that individual processes play in influencing young adolescents’ prosocial and moral development. Presented also is a new meta-analysis of data on age and gender differences in prosocial behavior with particular focus on early adolescence. It was found that prosocial behavior during adolescence rarely has been studied, but that there are general increases in prosocial behavior during this time when compared with early age periods. Moreover, gender differences in prosocial behavior (favoring girls) increase during this time. A relatively short review of the individual mechanisms by which these changes occur follow. A call for more research and suggestions for future directions in this research also is provided.

Prosocial competencies among adolescent siblings of the physically disabled

“…In other words, the findings regarding age-related trends in prosocial development during adolescence are less clear than those observable during childhood (Fabes, Carlo, Kupanoff, & Laible, 1999). It also means that relations between age and prosocial behavior vary depending on the characteristics of studies, such as type of social group, and methods used in research.…”

Two Sides of the Same Coin? The Relations between Prosocial and Physically Aggressive Behaviors

“…Moreover, with age comes increased opportunities to engage in prosocial acts, as well as life experience that may provide one with the tools and abilities to help others. Scholars have accordingly found positive relations among age and prosocial behavior, especially among early to middle adolescents (but not into young adulthood) and there are reported age increases in sympathy through young adulthood (Carlo et al, 1992;Eisenberg and Fabes, 1998;Fabes et al, 1999). These sociocognitive advancements may help explain a trend towards less aggression into young adulthood (Coie and Dodge, 1998;Lahey et al, 2000).…”

Diseño y Validación de la Escala de Creencias Normativas Sobre la Prosocialidad en Adolescentes Chilenos

“…Sin embargo, una gran cantidad de ellos coincide en señalar que en la adolescencia las mujeres presentarían mayor prosocialidad que los hombres y que esta diferencia se incrementaría durante esta, basada en el desarrollo de conductas que reflejan la necesidad de afiliación y aprobación social presente en las mujeres, especialmente en esta etapa (Eisenberg & Fabes, 1998;Fabes, Carlo, Kupanoff & Laible, 1999).…”