Prosocial Learning and Behaviors Prosocial behaviors include behaviors that benefit others, such as helping, sharing, comforting, and defending, without expectation for reward. There are a variety of ways a child s prosocial behaviors can be influenced. The labeling, demonstration, practice, monitoring, feedback, and reinforcement of prosocial behaviors contribute to the child s demonstration of such behaviors. During this age period, prosocial behavior includes empathy and altruism. Empathy is the ability to recognize the feelings of others, such as distress, anxiety, or delight, and to vicariously experience those feelings.
Altruism is defined as behavior that is intended to help another without expectation of reward.
Age, level of cognitive functioning, perspective-taking abilities, individual personality, family interactions, guidance strategies, and role models. Research on modeling suggests that children develop prosocial behaviors when observing prosocial models. Also, parenting styles encourage prosocial behaviors as well as inductive discipline strategies comprised of respect, reason, warmth, affection, and clear expectations. Prosocial behaviors are fostered by higher frequencies of cooperative behaviors, opportunities to assume responsibility, opportunities for sociodramatic play, opportunities for noncompetitive games and group activities, and exposure to T.V., toys, books, and video games designed to promote prosocial themes. This age group is considered premoral where the child is unaware of moral rules or values.