Social Studies and Research in Iran

Social Studies and Research in Iran

Studying the Causal Model of the Relationship between Self-Differentiation and the Dimensions of Prosocial Behavior, by the Intermediation of Moral Identity

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Samira Rostami 1
Razieh Sheikholeslami 2
1 Phd Candidate of Educational Psychology, Shiraz University
2 Associate Professor, Shiraz University
10.22059/jisr.2018.247816.602
Abstract
Prosocial behavior is a particular type of targeted behavior that benefits other people. In addition to the diversity of prosocial behaviors, their conditions and circumstances are also important. In this study, the structural relationship between self-differentiation and the dimensions of the Prosocial behavior, by the intermediation of moral identity, is studied by using a causal model. First, 239 undergraduate students from Shiraz University were selected through proportional class sampling method. Three valid scales, including Eric's DSI-SE questionnaire, Penner’s prosocial behavior questionnaire, and Aquino and Reed’s moral identity questionnaire were applied to measure the model's variables. The validity and reliability of the instruments used in the research were reviewed and confirmed. Data was analyzed by employing the path analysis approach. Also, Amos software was used for evaluating the intermediation and fitness of the model. Results showed that the model was well-fitted with the data of this research. According to the findings, the differentiation was predicted other-oriented prosocial behavior negatively. Furthermore, moral identity predicted the helpfulness behavior positively, and predicted other-oriented prosocial behavior negatively. In addition, the moral identity play a mediating role in the relationship between self-differentiation and prosocial behavior. On the whole, results indicate the importance of self-differentiation and moral identity in prosocial behavior.
Keywords
Moral Identity
prosocial behavior
Self-Differentiation
  • آقایوسفی و همکاران (1394)، «رابطۀ رفتار جامعه­پسند و گرایش‌های مطلوب اجتماعی در زنان با پنج عامل شخصیتی گاستا و مک گری»، فصلنامۀ علمی-پژوهشی زن و جامعه، شمارۀ 2: 67-84.
  • خدایاری­فرد، محمد و عابدینی، یاسمین (1389،نظریه‌ها و اصول خانواده‌درمانی، تهران: انتشارات دانشگاه تهران.
  • رضویه، علی‌اصغر و البرزی، محبوبه (1383)، «مقایسۀ رفتارهای خودگردان جامعه­پسند در کودکان تیزهوش، عادی و نابینا»، مجلۀ روان‌شناسی، دورۀ 30، شمارۀ 2: 128-143.
  • لطیفیان، مرتضی و فخاری، نرگس (1393) ، «نقش میانجی‌گری تمایزیافتگی خود در رابطه با الگوهای ارتباطی خانواده و سلامت روان»، فصلنامۀ فرهنگی تربیتی زنان و خانواده، سال هشتم، شمارۀ 26: 65-83.
  • صفاری­نیا، مجید؛ آقایوسفی، علیرضا و ایمانی­فر، حمیدرضا (1395) ، «پیش‌بینی­کننده‌های شخصیتی و خلقی رفتار جامعه­پسند»، مطالعات و تحقیقات اجتماعی در ایران، شمارۀ 2: 255-272.
  • صفاری­نیا، مجید و باجلان، مریم (1390)، روان‌شناسی اجتماعی و تست شخصیت، تهران: انتشارات ارجمند.
  • فخاری، نرگس؛ لطیفیان، مرتضی و اعتماد، جلیل (1392، «بررسی ویژگی‌های روان‌سنجی فرم کوتاه پرسشنامۀ تمایزیافتگی خود در دانشجویان ایرانی»، فصلنامۀ اندازه‌گیری تربیتی، شمارۀ 15: 35-58.
  • مسیبی، معتمدی و صفاری­نیا (1392،) «مقایسۀ مؤلفه‌های هوش هیجانی و رفتار جامعه­پسند در سالمندان موفق و ناموفق شهرستان رفسنجان»، پژوهش‌های علوم انسانی دانشگاه اصفهان، سال چهارم، شمارۀ 22: 134-117.
    • Abo, M. M. (2017), Persuading the General Public to Engage in Altruistic Behaviors: The Use of Exemplars and Injustice Salience in Appeals Regarding Food Allergies and Type One Diabetes, PhD Dissertation, The Ohio State University.
    • Adams, G. R. et al. (2001), “Diffuse-Avoidance, Normative, and Informational Identity Styles: Using Identity Theory to Predict Maladjustment. Identity”, An International Journal of Theory and Research, No. 1: 307–320.
    • Aquino, K., and Reed, I. I. (2002), “The Self-Importance of Moral Identity”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, No. 6: 14–23.
    • Aquino, K. et al. (2007), “A Grotesque and Dark Beauty: How Moral Identity and Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Influence Cognitive and Emotional Reactions to War”, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, No. 3: 385–392.
    • Aquino, K. et al.(2009), “Testing a Social-Cognitive Model of Moral Behavior: The Interactive Influence of Situations and Moral Identity Centrality”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, No. 97: 123–141.
    • Barnett, M. A., and Thompson, S. (1985), “The Role of Perspective Taking and Empathy in Children's Machiavellianism, Prosocial Behavior, and Motive for Helping”, The Journal of Genetic Psychology, No. 3: 295–305.
    • Blasi, A. (1980), “Bridging Moral Cognition and Moral Action: A Critical Review of the Literature”,
    • Psychological Bulletin, No. 88: 1–45.
    • Blasi, A. (1983), “Moral Cognition and Moral Action: A Theoretical Perspective”, Developmental Review, No. 2: 178–210.
    • Blasi, A. (2004), “Moral Functioning: Moral Understanding and Personality. In D. K. Lapsley and D. Narvaez (Eds.)”, Moral Development, Self, and Identity, No. 335–347.
    • Bruner, M., Dunlop, W. L., and Beauchamp, M. R. (2014), “A Social Identity Perspective on Group Processes in Sport and Exercise”, In Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sport Psychology, No. 47: 68–82.
    • Bowen, M. (1978), “Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. New York, NY: Jason Aronson. Bowen Center for the Study of the Family”. (2008). Bowen Theory. Retrieved from. No. 1.53 .140-142
    • Bohlander, J. R. (1995), “Differentiation of Self: An Examination of the Concept”; Issues in Mental Health Nursing, No. 2: 165–184.
    • Dunfield, K. A., & Kuhlmeier, V. A. (2013). Classifying prosocial behavior: Children's responses to instrumental need, emotional distress, and material desire. Child Development, No.84(5), 1766-1776.
    • Deci, E., and Ryan, R. M. (1985), , Springer Science and Business Media.
    • Hardy, S. A. et al. (2010). “Moral Identity and Psychological Distance: The Case of Adolescent Parental Socialization”, Journal of Adolescence, No. 33: 111–123.
    • Hardy, S. A., and Kisling, J. W., (2006), “Identity Statuses and Prosocial BehaviorsinYoung Adulthood: A Brief Report”, An Interpersonal Journal of Theory and Research, No. 4: 363–369.
    • Hardy, S. A, and Carlo, G. (2011). “Moral Identity: What Is It, How Does it Develop, and Is It Linked to Moral Action”, Child Development Perspectives, No. 5: 212–218.
    • Holmgren, R. A., Eisenberg, N., and Fabes, R. A. (1998). “The Relations of Children’s Situational Empathy-Related Emotions to Dispositional Prosocial Behavior”, International Journal of Behavioral Development, No. 1: 169–193.
    • Kerr, M. E., & Bowen, M. (1988), Family evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory,New York, NY, US: W W Norton & Co.
    • Koepke, S., and Denissen, J. J. A. (2012). “Dynamic of Identity Development and Separation-Individuation in Parent-Child Relationship during Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Conceptual Intrgration” Developmental Review,  No. 32: 67–88.
    • Lapsley, D. (2015). “Moral Identity and Developmental Theory”, Human Development, No. 58: 164–171.
    • Leonard, G. R. (2010), Moral Identity in Adolescence: A Literature Review, University of Asuza, California.
    • Millon, T., and Lerner, M. J. (2003), Handbook of Psychology Volume 5 Personality and Social Psychology, John Wiley and Sons.
    • Mehri, Y. et al. (2011), “The Relationship between Differentiation of Self and Aspects of Identity”, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, No. 30: 733–737.
    • Padilla-Walker, L. M. et al. (2008). “Looking on the Bright Side: The Role of Identity Status and Gender on Positive Orientations during Emerging Adulthood”, Journal of Adolescence, No. 31: 451–467.
    • Penner, L. A. (2002), “The Causes of Sustained Volunteerism: An Inter-Actionist Perspective”, Journal of Social Issues, No. 58: 447–467.
    • Roth, G. (2008). “Perceived Parental Conditional Regard and Autonomy Support as Predictors
    • of Young Adults’ Self- Versus Other-Oriented Prosocial Tendencies”, Journal of Personality, No. 76: 513–533.
    • Ryan, R. M., and Connel, J. P. (1989), “Perceived Locus of Causality and Internalization: Examining Reasons for Acting in Two Domains”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, No. 57: 749–761.
    • Reykowski, J., and Smoleńska, Z. (1980), “Personality Mechanisms of Prosocial Behavior”, Polish Psychological Bulletin, No. 4: 219–230.
    • Skowron, E. A. (2000). The Role of Differentiation of Self in Marital Adjustment”, Journal of Counseling Psychology, No. 2: 229–237.
    • Skowron, E. A., Wester, S. R., and Azen, R. (2004). “Differentiation of Self-Mediates College Stress and Adjustment”, Journal of Counseling and Development, No. 1: 69–78.
    • Skowron, E. A., and Dendy, A. K. (2004). “Differentiation of Self and Attachment in Adulthood: Relational Correlates of Effortful Control”; Contemporary Family Therapy, No. 3: 337–357.
    • Sigelman, C. K., and Rider, E. A. (2017), Life-Span Human Development, 9th Ed, Cengage Learning.
    • Soenens, B. et al. (2005), “Identity Styles and Causality Orientations: In Search of the Motivational Underpinnings of the Identity Exploration Process”, European Journal of Personality, No. 19: 427–442.
    • Smits, I. et al. (2010), “Why Do Adolescents Gather Information or Stick to Parental Norms? Examining Autonomous and Controlled Motives behind Adolescents’ Identity Style”, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, No. 11: 1343–1356.
    • Torstveit, L., Sütterlin, S., and Lugo, R. G. (2016), “Empathy, Guilt Proneness, and Gender: Relative Contributions to Prosocial Behaviour”, Europe's Journal of Psychology, No. 2: 260.
    • Williams, A., O’Driscoll, K., and Moore, C. (2014), “The Influence of Empathic Concern on Prosocial Behavior in Children”; Frontiers in Psychology, No. 5: 425.
    • Zaskonda, H. (2010), Pro-Social Traits and Tendencies of Students of Helping Professions; Czech Republic: University of South Bohemia.
Social Studies and Research in Iran
Volume 7, Issue 2
Summer 2018
Pages 369-393