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The moral self-concept has been proposed as a central predictor of prosocial behaviour. In two experiments (one preregistered), we explored the nature of the relation between the moral self-concept (explicit and implicit) and prosocial behaviour. Specifically, we investigated the role of emotions associated with prosocial behaviour (consequential or anticipated) and preference for consistency. The results revealed a relation between the explicit moral self-concept and sharing behaviour. The explicit moral self-concept was linked to anticipated and consequential emotions regarding not-sharing. Importantly, anticipated and consequential emotions about not-sharing mediated the relation between self-concept and behaviour. Yet, the relation was independent of preference for consistency. The implicit moral self-concept was neither related to prosocial behaviour nor to emotions associated with behaviour. Overall, our study demonstrates the interplay between cognitive and emotional processes in explaining prosocial behaviour. More specific, it underlines the link between the moral self-concept and prosocial behaviour and highlights the role of emotions about the omission of prosocial behaviour.

Normative views and resource distribution behavior in childhood: Dissociated at the group level, but associated at the individual level

Major developmental theories allot imitation a pivotal role in the cultural acquisition of social norms. Although there exists considerable evidence of young children's norm enforcement behavior, the ontogenetic emergence of normativity and the role of imitation is debated. Here, we assessed two pathways of how general imitation tendencies might relate to norm enforcement: The compliance path holds that young children's general imitation tendencies lead to displaying compliant behavior, which in turn predicts norm enforcement toward third parties. The internalization path suggests that young children's general imitation tendencies lead to an internal representation of normative rules. As children observe third parties' normative transgressions, a perceived discrepancy between internalized representation of the rule and observed behavior arises, which in turn triggers corrective action, that is, norm enforcement behavior. We assessed 18-month-olds' (N = 97) general imitation tendencies across four tasks, their compliance with maternal directives across two tasks, and their self-distress as well as protest behavior following normative transgressions. Results showed that (a) whereas imitation significantly predicted compliance behavior, compliance did not predict norm enforcement behavior, and that (b) imitation predicted self-distress, which in turn predicted norm enforcement. These findings speak to internalization as one psychological basis of norm enforcement behavior and highlight the importance of imitation in the ontogenetic emergence of normativity.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-jbd-10.1177_01650254221096813 for Normative views and resource distribution behavior in childhood: Dissociated at the group level, but associated at the individual level by Natalie Christner, Monika Wörle and Markus Paulus in International Journal of Behavioral Development

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-hpq-10.1177_1359105320980793 for Prevention for oneself or others? Psychological and social factors that explain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic by Natalie Christner, Regina M Sticker, Lena Söldner, Maria Mammen and Markus Paulus in Journal of Health Psychology

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-hpq-10.1177_1359105320980793 for Prevention for oneself or others? Psychological and social factors that explain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic by Natalie Christner, Regina M Sticker, Lena Söldner, Maria Mammen and Markus Paulus in Journal of Health Psychology