Cross-national and gender similarities and differences in prosocial moral reasoning between Brazilian and European-American college students

The present study was designed to examine nationality and gender difference s in prosocial moral reasoning between Brazilian and European-American coll ege students. Two studies were conducted to examine these issues. In the fi rst study, approximately 234 college students from Brazil and the United St ates completed a paper-and-pencil measure of prosocial moral reasoning (PRO M). European-Americans reported more internalized and approval-oriented mor al reasoning, and less stereotypic and hedonistic moral reasoning, than Bra zilians did. In the second study, 180 Brazilian and European-American colle ge students completed the PROM. As in study 1, European-Americans reported more internalized and less hedonistic moral reasoning than Brazilians. In a ddition, European-Americans also reported more needs-oriented moral reasoni ng than Brazilians did. In both studies? gender differences in prosocial mo ral reasoning were found. Discussion focuses on contextual and individual d ifferences in prosocial moral reasoning.