Discussion #4 Research Question

Research Question: What motivates prosocial behavior? And at what age does this particular development occur? 

Hypothesis: I would hypothesize that these behaviors are in fact dependent on how one was raised and on what behaviors were encouraged in the home and which were not. Psychologist typically agree that there are many things that could promote and motivate both prosocial and antisocial behaviors within the individual whereas sociologists typically believe that the surroundings of the individual and other people play a larger part. There are also situational influences to consider.  I would be interested to see exactly how each effects an individual’s social behavior.

Sample: I would use a sample group of children ages 1-12 because this is the age that I would assume prosocial behavior would be most prominent. So, preschoolers through about 6^thgrade.

Research Method(s): My research method would be observational. I would look for positive inter-social attributes among the children’s interactions with other students. 

Research Design: The natural observational study would be the best way to go about this because survey wouldn’t be as effective with children of these ages. You could compose an experimental study as well but it would be more expensive and prone to bias.