The Study Of Self-control On Prosocial Behaviors

Individuals' development of prosocial behavior is a major task of socialization and also a crucial indicator of individuals' personality functioning. It is one of the requirements of socialistic core values as well. Individuals' prosocial behavior is affected by a number of factors, self-control maybe one of such variables. As the core functions of self, the impact of self-control on the prosocial behavior has also been concerned in the past decade. Self-control refers to the capacity for altering one's own responses, especially to bring them into line with standards such as ideals, values,morals, and social expectations, and to support the pursuit of long-term goals. Low trait self-control or ego depletion are the key factors to cause problem behaviors. But how it affects individuals' good behaviors, especially the prosocial behaviors, is still not clear and need further exploration. This study discussed the relation of self-control and prosocial behaviors from both trait self-control and state self-control perspectives.Research one explores the relationship between trait self-control and prosocial behaviors through questionnaires. The results showed that there is a significant positive correlation between trait self-control and prosocial behaviors and trait self-control can positively predict individuals' prosocial behaviors.Aimed at investigating the relationship of self-control resource depletion and prosocial behaviors. Three kinds of Stroop task and Dictator game were adopted in research two. The results showed that Stroop task could successfully induce high and low self-control resource depletion. Relative to low depletion group, individuals in high depletion group gave less to others.Research three examines the interactive influence of trait self-control and moral identity on individuals' prosocial behavior through a questionnaire survey. The results showed that significant positive correlation existed between trait self-control, moral identity and prosocial behaviors; trait self-control and moral identity can positively predict individuals' prosocial behaviors. Trait self-control and moral identity have interactive influence on individuals' prosocial behaviors: for individuals with higher moral identity, trait self-control did not influence prosocial behaviors; for individuals with lower moral identity,. trait self-control can positively predict individuals'prosocial behaviors significantly.