The Cambridge Handbook of Prosociality
Development, Mechanisms, Promotion

An in-depth examination of the development and cultivation of prosociality, which is foundational to social harmony, happiness, and peace.

Tina Malti (Edited by), Maayan Davidov (Edited by)

9781108834711, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 June 2023

625 pages
25 x 17.5 x 4.2 cm, 1.31 kg

'As social animals, humans are born with a healthy dose of empathy and prosociality. It is paramount to know how these tendencies develop in the young and how they can be augmented. For anyone interested in this complex topic, this handbook does an admirable job reviewing current knowledge.' Frans de Waal, author of Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves

Prosociality is a multifaceted concept referring to the many ways in which individuals care about and benefit others. Human prosociality is foundational to social harmony, happiness, and peace; it is therefore essential to understand its underpinnings, development, and cultivation. This handbook provides a state-of-the-art, in-depth account of scientific, theoretical, and practical knowledge regarding prosociality and its development. Its thirty chapters, written by international researchers in the field, elucidate key issues, including: the development of prosociality across infancy, childhood, adolescence, and beyond; the biological, cognitive, emotional, and motivational mechanisms that underlie and influence prosociality; how different socialization agents and social contexts can affect children's prosociality; and intervention approaches aimed at cultivating prosociality in children and adolescents. This knowledge can benefit researchers, students, practitioners, and policy makers seeking to nurture socially responsible, caring youth.

Part I. Development of Prosociality: 1. Introduction: what is prosocial development? Definition, history, mechanisms Tina Malti and Maayan Davidov
2. Developmental theories of prosociality Nancy Eisenberg and Tracy L. Spinrad
3. The role of genetics in the development of prosocial behavior Ariel Knafo-Noam and Dana Katsoty
4. Neurobiology of prosociality: investigating the link between empathy and prosocial behavior in the brain Claus Lamm and Paul A. G. Forbes
5. The developmental psychophysiology of prosociality Paul D. Hastings, Ryan T. Hodge and Lindsey C. Partington
6. Early prosociality from a developmental and comparative perspective Felix Warneken and Sarah Probst
7. Prosocial behavior in infancy and early childhood Dale F. Hay
8. Prosociality in middle childhood Richard A. Fabes and Stacy L. Morris
9. Prosocial behaviors in adolescence Gustavo Carlo, Fiorella L. Carlos Chavez and Clara López-Mora
10. Prosocial development across the lifespan Antonio Zuffiano, Emanuele Basili, Stefania Sette, Maria Gerbino, Concetta Pastorelli and Bernadette Paula Luengo Kanacri
Part II. Antecedents and Mechanisms of Prosociality: 11. The motives of prosocial behavior Joscha Kärtner
12. Morality, values, and prosociality across development: intertwined yet distinct Audun Dahl and Marie Grace S. Martinez
13. Emotions and prosociality Ross A. Thompson
14. Social-cognitive development and early prosocial behavior Markus Paulus
15. Temperament and prosocial behavior Deborah J. Laible, Afra E. Agalar, Clare Van Norden and Alysia Cruz
16. Gender and prosocial development Jolien Van der Graaff
17. Assessing prosociality: an early ontogeny perspective Robert Hepach
Part III. Development of Prosociality in Context: 18. Parenting and children's prosociality: multiple pathways to socialization Maayan Davidov and Joan E. Grusec
19. Sibling influences upon prosociality: from infancy to adolescence Claire Hughes and Alison Pike
20. Prosocial behavior, peer relationships, and friendships Kristina L. McDonald, Melanie A. Dirks, Kristen A. Dunfield and Estephen A. Hakim
21. Explaining in-group bias and out-group bias in children's prosocial behavior: the role of group stereotypes Jellie Sierksma
22. Prosocial behavior in school contexts Stuart I. Hammond, Robert P. Hill and Victoria L. L. Edwards
23. Community and neighborhood influences on prosociality in children and youth Benjamin Edwards and Jacqueline Allen
24. Culture and prosociality Tara Callaghan and John Corbit
25. Prosocial media Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Hailey G. Holmgren, and Ryan D. McLean
Part IV. Applications: Nurturing Prosociality: 26. Fostering prosociality in the family context: a review of parent-and family-focused interventions promoting children's effortful control Qing Zhou, Aya Williams and Kaley Curtis
27. Prosociality and civic engagement Laura Wray-Lake
28. Prosocial behavior, positive youth development and character virtues: a dynamic, relational developmental systems-based model Richard M. Lerner, Jacqueline V. Lerner and Mary H. Buckingham
29. Relational practices of care to nurture prosociality and advance policy Tina Malti and Ruth Speidel
30. Toward a new era of prosociality research: priorities, challenges, and possibilities Maayan Davidov and Tina Malti.

Subject Areas: Child & developmental psychology [JMC]