A CROSS-NATIONAL-STUDY ON THE RELATIONS AMONG PROSOCIAL MORAL REASONING, GENDER-ROLE ORIENTATIONS, AND PROSOCIAL BEHAVIORS

This research examined the correlates of prosocial moral reasoning (PM R) in 2 studies. Study 1 investigated age, gender, and culture group d ifferences in PMR in Brazilian children and adolescents (n = 265) and U.S. adolescents (n = 67). Relations between PMR and both prosocial be haviors and gender role orientations in Brazilian adolescents (n = 136 ) were explored in Study 2. Self-reflective, internalized reasoning wa s positively related, and hedonistic reasoning was negatively related, to peer ratings of prosocial behaviors. Femininity was associated wit h more self-reflective, internalized concerns and with less concerns r egarding gaining others' approval. In general, age and gender differen ces in PMR were similar for both Brazilian and U.S. adolescents. Howev er, U.S. adolescents scored higher on internalized moral reasoning tha n Brazilian adolescents. Discussion focused on the correlates of PMR i n Brazilian and U.S. children.