The study sought to use dominant approaches in social psychology to define and to account for
the role that prosocial behaviour has on teacher perceptions of children. Existing theories and
literature have not emphasised the subjectivity of prosociality in three aspects which this study
sought to address. First, prosociality is an interaction rather than an objective behaviour.
Second, prosociality is measured largely through third party ratings in childhood and is
accurately perceived prosociality rather than objective prosociality. Thirdly, this perceived
prosociality in school children was found to be associated with objective outcomes in later life.
This study sought to examine this association and consider how potentially predictive power
of prosocial ratings could be useful, for schools. This study also sought to classify influencing
factors on prosocial development by dispositional and situational factors. Using mixed
methods, the study used 194 ratings of the Goodman’s Strengths and Difficulties Prosocial
Questionnaire provided by class teachers in North Aberdeenshire to examine teacher
perception in seven studies. The study took a mixed method approach and applied critical
realism theory in order to balance social constructionist with positivist approaches. Results
from quantitative study found gender and deprivation effects on teacher ratings and associated
overall ratings as being most strongly correlated with empathic concern. Prosocial perceptions
were also found to influence teacher decision making regarding classroom seating. Qualitative
data was gathered through semi-structured interviews finding prosociality is perceived by
teachers as related to individual disposition, teaching methods to address weakness in the area
are based on social rather than cognitive weaknesses and benefits of prosocial children are
constructed as level of ease in classroom management.
| Date of Award | 4 Jun 2026 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Supervisor | Clare Daly (Supervisor), Jim Boyle (Supervisor) & Kirsten Russell (Supervisor) |
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