A cross-national study on the relations among prosocial moral reasoning, gender role orientations, and prosocial behaviors

Gustavo Carlo, Nancy Eisenberg, Silvia H. Koller, Marcia S. Da Silva, Claudia B. Frohlick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

This research examined the correlates of prosocial moral reasoning (PMR) in 2 studies. Study 1 investigated age, gender, and culture group differences in PMR in Brazilian children and adolescents (n = 265) and U.S. adolescents (n = 67). Relations between PMR and both prosocial behaviors and gender role orientations in Brazilian adolescents (n = 136) were explored in Study 2. Self-reflective, internalized reasoning was positively related, and hedonistic reasoning was negatively related, to peer ratings of prosocial behaviors. Femininity was associated with more self-reflective, internalized concerns and with less concerns regarding gaining others' approval. In general, age and gender differences in PMR were similar for both Brazilian and U.S. adolescents. However, U.S. adolescents scored higher on internalized moral reasoning than Brazilian adolescents. Discussion focused on the correlates of PMR in Brazilian and U.S. children.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)231-240
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental psychology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Demography
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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