PSYC 355 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Domain Theory, Prosocial Behavior

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 355
• Professor: Tracy Riggins

Document Summary

Moral development, empathy, and prosocial behavior: what is morality? (many definitions, little consensus) >>protection of others" welfare: historically, developmental psychologists viewed children as premoral or amoral, requiring extensive socialization to become responsible members of society. But, some of the building blocks of morality appear to be present at birth: piaget"s social-cognitive stages. Morality of constraint (<7 years) actions are right or wrong based on rules of adults/society. Transitional period (7-10 years) peer interaction teaches children that rules are malleable. Autonomous morality (>10 years) no longer black and white thinking about issues of morality. >>children"s performance perspective-taking, piagetian logic, and iq tasks are associated with level of moral judgement. >>increased parental punitiveness linked to less mature moral reasoning. >>highlights role of peers and child as active agents of their own moral development. >>little direct evidence for role of peers in moral development. Classic moral scenario heinz dilemma (stealing a drug to save his wife"s life.