Morality and prosocial behavior: the role of awareness, responsibility, and norms in the norm activation model

J Soc Psychol. 2009 Aug;149(4):425-49. doi: 10.3200/SOCP.149.4.425-449.

Abstract

The authors examined the relationships between variables included in the Norm Activation Model (NAM; S. H. Schwartz, 1977) of prosocial behavior. Specifically, they evaluated the strength of 2 commonly used interpretations of this model: the NAM as a mediator model and the NAM as a moderator model. For the most part, 5 studies focusing on a variety of prosocial intentions and behavior support the NAM as a mediator model. Furthermore, these studies validate past research by showing that variables included in the NAM are powerful in explaining a diversity of prosocial intentions and behavior in the social and environmental contexts.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Awareness*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Morals
  • Netherlands
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Responsibility*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult