TY - JOUR
T1 - Fostering prosocial behavior and empathy in young children
AU - Spinrad, Tracy
AU - Gal, Diana E.
PY - 2018/4/1
Y1 - 2018/4/1
N2 - There is increasing interest in understanding ways to foster young children's prosocial behavior (i.e. voluntary acts to benefit another). We begin this review by differentiating between types of prosocial behavior, empathy, and sympathy. We argue that sympathy and some types of prosocial behaviors are most likely intrinsically motivated, whereas other types of prosocial behaviors may be extrinsically motivated. Next, we highlight work focusing on the socialization practices that have been found to predict individual differences in young children's prosocial behavior and concern for others. Although work in the area is limited, we also review some intervention programs that have shown effectiveness in improving young children's positive social behaviors. We conclude with areas for future research.
AB - There is increasing interest in understanding ways to foster young children's prosocial behavior (i.e. voluntary acts to benefit another). We begin this review by differentiating between types of prosocial behavior, empathy, and sympathy. We argue that sympathy and some types of prosocial behaviors are most likely intrinsically motivated, whereas other types of prosocial behaviors may be extrinsically motivated. Next, we highlight work focusing on the socialization practices that have been found to predict individual differences in young children's prosocial behavior and concern for others. Although work in the area is limited, we also review some intervention programs that have shown effectiveness in improving young children's positive social behaviors. We conclude with areas for future research.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027569999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85027569999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.004
DO - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.004
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28830005
AN - SCOPUS:85027569999
SN - 2352-250X
VL - 20
SP - 40
EP - 44
JO - Current Opinion in Psychology
JF - Current Opinion in Psychology
ER -