Argues that in order to understand how the capacity for altruism develops and comes under self-control it is necessary first to understand the nature and development of the self-control. (MP)

Presents pro and con comments with regards to 1975 APA presidential address under the heading of genetic basis of behavior--especially of altruism. Other comments are subsumed under the heading of biological versus social evolution, and the value of tradition. (Author/AM)

Four socialization environments, all of which included some modeling of altruism by an adult, were differentially effective in altering children's responsiveness to others in circumstances of distress. (Authors)

Research relevant to the development of internal control of altruism is reviewed, and the need for integrating the various approaches to the study of altruism into one model is noted. (MP)

Presents an overview of the contributors' reactions and summarizes the controversies which arose from the 1975 APA presidential address. Thoughts on behaviorism as well as evolutionary theory in American psychology are also presented. (Author/AM)

The connection between sustained high-level critical and creative thought and positive disposition is explored in this paper. The purpose of the paper is three fold: (1) to present the main ideas behind a dispositional conception of thinking; (2) to discuss research on this topic; and (3) to demonstrate the relationship between high-level thinking…

Prior research has indicated that, although negative mood induction procedures reliably lead to enhanced helping in adults, such procedures do not produce increased helping in young children. Consistent with the negative state relief model, it was expected that, relative to neutral mood subjects, children in a negative mood would be more generous…

Third and fourth grade children were instructed to share half their winnings from a bowling game under one of three types of verbal appeal: a power assertive appeal emphasizing punishment for noncompliance, an inductive appeal emphasizing contributions to the other's well-being, or a neutral appeal. (Author/DB)

It was hypothesized that children in age-heterogeneous kindergartens would be more prone to behave altruistically than would children in age-homogeneous kindergartens. It was found that children who were studying in heterogeneous classes were more altruistic than were children from homogeneous classes. (Author)

Cognitive effects in children's learning of altruistic behavior were tested with an adaptation of Aronfreed's test design and machine. Children in grades 1-4 were presented with a machine with 2 levers. One lever, when pressed, released bubble gum, and the other turned on a light. For two of the three groups the experimenter exclaimed delightedly…

Three experiments involving 345 children aged 5-6, 7-8, and 12-13 were performed to investigate the development of children's motives to help. Two experimental paradigms were developed to determine children's motives for helping behavior in a specific behavioral context. In the first paradigm, situations were created in which children had the…

Examines changes in patterns of prosocial motivation between grades 2 and 12 in samples from West Germany, Poland, Italy, and the United States. Uses a questionnaire to assess within-subject preference for 5 prosocial motives: hedonism, self-interest, conformity, task orientation, and other-orientation. (MW)