Identifier

etd-04252011-083956

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Ecology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Research indicates that narcissism may increase antisocial tendencies in children as young as preschool. In this quasi-experimental study, manners lessons on selfless, prosocial behavior were used as an intervention to decrease narcissism and antisocial behavior within second and third grade classrooms. Manners lessons provided children with opportunities to demonstrate prosocial attitudes toward others and thus were expected to decrease narcissism, increase empathy, decrease conduct problems and peer problems, and increase prosocial behavior. The present intervention positively influenced the external behavior of children as indicated by a decrease in conduct problems and peer problems and an increase in prosocial behavior for intervention group participants. The allotted treatment time did not produce a significant change in attitudes of narcissism or empathy, however. Additional, longitudinal studies are needed to further examine the influence of intervention on internal attitudes of narcissism and empathy.

Date

2011

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Baumgartner, Jennifer

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3920

Included in

Human Ecology Commons

Share

COinS