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Translating Social Motivation Into Action: Contributions of Need for Approval to Children's Social Engagement
Author(s) -
Rudolph Karen D.,
Bohn Lauren E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
social development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.078
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1467-9507
pISSN - 0961-205X
DOI - 10.1111/sode.12050
Subject(s) - prosocial behavior , psychology , disengagement theory , aggression , developmental psychology , peer victimization , psychological intervention , social engagement , social approval , social psychology , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , gerontology , medicine , social science , environmental health , psychiatry , sociology
This research examined how children's need for approval ( NFA ) from peers predicted social behavior (prosocial behavior, aggression, and social helplessness) and peer responses (acceptance, victimization, exclusion). Children ( N = 526, mean age = 7.95, standard deviation = .33) reported on NFA and teachers reported on social engagement. Approach NFA (motivation to gain approval) predicted more positive engagement and less conflictual engagement and disengagement. Conversely, avoidance NFA (motivation to avoid disapproval) predicted less positive engagement and more conflictual engagement and disengagement. Some results differed by gender. This study suggests that social motivation contributes to children's peer relationships, providing a specific target for interventions to optimize social health.