Varieties of altruistic actions across development and culture / Variedades de acciones altruistas a lo largo del desarrollo y entre culturas

Abstract

Altruistic prosocial behaviours are an important subset of prosocial behaviours (i.e., actions that benefit others) that develop across age and can vary across cultures. These behaviours are defined by a selfless motive to assist others with little or no expectation for self-reward and at a cost or risk to oneself. Research has demonstrated several sociocognitive, socioemotive and social correlates of these actions. Importantly, scholars have posited the central role of altruistic prosocial behaviours in reducing and addressing social inequities and injustices, though direct supportive evidence is sparse. First, we briefly review prior theory and research on the development and social correlates of altruistic prosocial behaviours. Second, a new heuristic model of altruistic prosocial behaviours is presented that outlines the elements of varieties of such actions. The model provides avenues for future research that can further our understanding of the correlates and development of distinct forms of altruistic prosocial behaviours across development and cultures. And third, we propose recommendations for future research to significantly advance the developmental scholarship on this important construct.