The Relation of Moral Emotion Attributions to Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior: A Meta‐Analysis. Issue 2 (24th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malti, Tina; Krettenauer, Tobias
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 84:Issue 2(2013:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2012-09-24
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01851.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cdev1851-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This meta‐analytic review of 42 studies covering 8, 009 participants (ages 4–20) examines the relation of moral emotion attributions to prosocial and antisocial behavior. A significant association is found between moral emotion attributions and prosocial and antisocial behaviors (<italic>d </italic>=<italic> </italic>.26, 95% CI [.15, .38]; <italic>d </italic>=<italic> </italic>.39, 95% CI [.29, .49]). Effect sizes differ considerably across studies and this heterogeneity is attributed to moderator variables. Specifically, effect sizes for predicted antisocial behavior are larger for self‐attributed moral emotions than for emotions attributed to hypothetical story characters. Effect sizes for prosocial and antisocial behaviors are associated with several other study characteristics. Results are discussed with respect to the potential significance of moral emotion attributions for the social behavior of children and adolescents.</p> </abstract>