This study examined the relations between child rearing, prosocial moral reasoning,
and prosocial behaviour. The sample consisted of 125 children (6-11 years of age)
and both their parents. Child-rearing behaviour was assessed by both observations at
home and interviews with the parents; prosocial moral reasoning by interviews with
the children, and prosocial behaviour by questionnaires filled in by their teachers
and classmates. Positive relations were found between prosocial moral reasoning and
prosocial behaviour, but only for the youngest children. Children growing up in a
supportive, authoritative, and less restrictive environment behaved more prosocially
and reasoned at a higher level about prosocial moral issues.
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