CHILD-REARING, PROSOCIAL MORAL REASONING, AND PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

This study examined the relations between child rearing, prosocial mor al reasoning, and prosocial behaviour. The sample consisted of 125 chi ldren (6-11 years of age) and both their parents. Child-rearing behavi our was assessed by both observations at home and interviews with the parents; prosocial moral reasoning by interviews with the children, an d prosocial behaviour by questionnaires filled in by their teachers an d classmates. Positive relations were found between prosocial moral re asoning and prosocial behaviour, but only for the youngest children. C hildren growing up in a supportive, authoritative, and less restrictiv e environment behaved more prosocially and reasoned at a higher level about prosocial moral issues.