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Afterword

A Reminiscence on Origins of Prosociality and Antisociality

from Part IV - Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2023

By
Carolyn Zahn‐Waxler
Edited by
Tina Malti  and
Maayan Davidov
Tina Malti
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Maayan Davidov
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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Summary

Research on prosociality through the lens of developmental psychology and related disciplines is recent in human history, starting just over 50 years ago when I began my career. It sounds like a long time, but it was not, when considered in terms of human evolution. It was exciting to get in on the ground floor. This transition to theory testing, data collection, combinations of methods, and interdisciplinary work created a niche for me to study the development of empathy and prosocial behavior. It also allowed for the study of several other aspects of prosociality that are well reflected in this volume. Malti and Davidov have created a remarkable, scholarly volume that testifies to all we have learned in a short period of time. Early students are now masters of their own innovative work with their own colleagues and students. As an epilogue to the volume, I share here with the reader some of my recollections, insights, and reflections on this body of knowledge and work that is so close to my heart.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Prosociality
Development, Mechanisms, Promotion
 , pp. 614 - 630
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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