Abstract
Incremental implicit theories are associated with a belief regarding it is possible to improve one’s intelligence or ability through efforts. Previous studies have demonstrated that incremental implicit theories contributed to better academic achievement and positive youth development. Our study aimed to examine whether incremental implicit theories of morality significantly influenced change in students’ engagement in voluntary service activities. In our study, 54 Korean college students for Study 1 and 180 Korean 8th graders for Study 2 were recruited to conduct two two-wave studies. We surveyed participants’ implicit theories of morality and participation in voluntary service activities. The effect of implicit theories of morality on change in service engagement was analyzed through regression analysis. In Study 1, the moral growth mindset significantly moderated longitudinal change in service engagement. In Study 2, the moral growth mindset significantly influenced engagement in art-related activities, while it significantly moderated change in engagement in youth-related activities.
Highlights
Intention to engage in prosocial behavior, such as various civic activities, is a foundational source producing actual prosocial behavioral outcomes
The purpose of the present study is to examine whether incremental implicit theories in the domain of morality, the moral growth mindset, promote prosocial behavior by conducting two-wave studies
Given the significant interaction effect, we found that the moral growth mindset moderated the relationship between initial and post-test service engagement significantly
Summary
Intention to engage in prosocial behavior, such as various civic activities, is a foundational source producing actual prosocial behavioral outcomes. Exemplar studies have reported that moral and civic exemplars who committed to moral and prosocial ends for the long term showed long-term intention as well as actual action plans and behavioral engagement [4,5,6]. Given these results, both intention and actual behavioral engagement are fundamental to shape persistent motivation for prosocial commitment. Previous studies examined how to measure moral implicit theories, which are associated with a belief about malleability
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