The role of temperament and social cognition in young children's prosocial development

This thesis is an investigation of theory and research on children's prosocial behaviour from two relatively distinct areas of developmental psychology (i.e., temperament and social cognition). Building upon models put forth by Eisenberg and colleagues (e.g., Eisenberg & Fabes, 1992), Lemerise and Arsenio (2000), and Kochanska (1993, 2002), a new model of prosocial development in young children is proposed. The importance of an other-orientation to the development of prosocial behaviour is emphasized. Individual differences in other-orientation are posited to relate to the temperament system referred to as affiliative motivation (i.e., a desire to be with others in order to meet affiliative and nurturant needs, Derryberry & Rothbart, 1997). Within the affiliative system, two motivational dimensions are proposed. These dimensions are referred to as intrinsic affiliative motivation (i.e., affiliation sought primarily for internal motives, such as feelings of warmth or nurturant connection) and extrinsic affiliative motivation (i.e., affiliation sought primarily for external motives, such as social rewards). Ways in which the intrinsic and extrinsic affiliative motivation dimensions, in combination with other temperament dimensions, might play out in existing social information processing models (Crick & Dodge, 1994; Lemerise & Arsenio; 2000) are explored.; The proposed model is multifaceted and, as such, the research component of this thesis serves as a preliminary test of key aspects. Specifically, under investigation are ways in which young (5- to 7-year-old) children's affiliative motivation combines with other temperament dimensions in relation to prosocial behaviour. The Pilot Study and Study One of the research program involve the development of scales to assess the intrinsic and extrinsic affiliative motivation dimensions and prosocial behaviour. Study Two involves testing predicted interrelations among: affiliative motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic), reactive control (fear and impulsivity), effortful control (attentional focusing and inhibitory control), and spontaneous prosocial behaviour. Findings suggest that affiliative motivation, the intrinsic dimension in particular, is an important factor in young children's prosocial development. Theoretical, research, and applied implications are discussed.