The relations between values and prosocial behavior among children: The moderating role of age

Abstract

Do children's values relate to their prosocial behavior? To answer this question, this study investigated N = 586 Australian children aged 6–12; the children reported their values and their prosocial behavior was assessed by peer nominations. As hypothesized, prosocial behavior was negatively correlated with self-enhancement values and positively correlated with self-transcendence and conservation values. In addition, age moderated the relations between values and prosocial behavior. For younger children, negative relations were found between openness-to-change values and prosocial behavior, but for older children, the relations were significantly positive. A mirror image appeared for the interaction of age and conservation values. The results have implications for values development among children and for moral development.