Social Behaviour

Abstract

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

• 1. discuss psychodynamic, learning theory and cognitive-developmental approaches to moral development;

• 2. evaluate these approaches to moral development in the light of empirical evidence;

• 3. discuss research into (a) the effects of parental style, (b) peer group influences, and (c) wider social influences on moral development;

• 4. describe and assess the findings from research into gender role development;

• 5. evaluate alternative explanations of the origins of gender role behaviour;

• 6. discuss findings from studies of children’s developing understanding of the self and of the minds of other people (theory of mind);

• 7. evaluate research into the development of self-esteem in children and consider some practical implications of research findings.