Prosocial Development in Children : Helping Sharing and Comforting

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. The domain of prosocial development. 2. Research design and method. 3. Prosocial reasoning and behaviour in hypothetical contexts. 4. Prosocial reasoning and behaviour in naturalistic contexts. 5. Prosocial reasoning and behaviour in structured contexts. 6. Comparison of prosocial reasoning and behaviour across contexts -- hypothetical, naturalistic and structured. 7. Epilogue and prologue. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

"Is our society today veering towards predominance of selfishness and self-interest? How can the focus be shifted towards prosociality? What is \'prosocial\'?

\'Prosocial\', in simple words, is the opposite of \'antisocial\'. Helping, sharing, caring and comforting thus constitute the epitome of prosociality. This book includes the relevant theories and the latest studies in the area of prosociality. The focus is on the dynamics of prosocial reasoning and behaviour as well as the developmental changes that come about in this significant aspect of life. The present book highlights the importance of socio-cultural influences and the proximal environmental circumstances of social living.

This book will be useful to those who are particularly interested in the area of prosociality among children. In fact, the perspectives provided may be of considerable help to the students of child development, psychology, human development and family studies, policy makers, academicians, parents and others interested in fostering prosocial development during the childhood years and beyond." (jacket)