Norm Related Pro-Social Behavior in Elementary School Youth

This study took a strength based approach in exploring school connectedness, academic self-efficacy, personal variables and how they influence a new concept called norm related pro-social behavior (NRPB). Grounded in theory and logic, norm related pro-social behavior is a concept proposing that social norms held by youths directly affects their behaviors. Correlation research was conducted to investigate the individual and combined influence of school connectedness, academic self-efficacy, and personal variables in elementary school age youths self reported norm related pro-social behaviors. There were 227 participants in second through fifth grades with approximately equal numbers of males and females. Results revealed that school connectedness was among the strongest predictors of norm related pro-social behavior. This study contributes to the knowledge of all practitioners invested in schools and youths by providing further understanding of interactions between norms and behaviors and the importance of school in the socialization of youths.

Autorentext

Dr. Kaprea F. Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Old Dominion University. She completed her Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Pennsylvania State University, M.Ed. from Howard University, and B.A from Norfolk State University. Her research interest surrounds pro-social behavior in k-12 youth.