Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

2003

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

First Advisor

Robert Mendelsohn

Abstract

This study examines prosocial attitudes and behaviors of students in grades six through twelve in the state of South Dakota who have been exposed to the CharacterCounts ! framework in their schools, connnunities, and from their parents. This study was conducted through surveys of sixth through twelfth grade students using a longitudinal design over a five-year period from 1998-2002 with data collected from the 1998 survey used as baseline data for comparison with the fifth year data. Theoretical contributions from Emile Durkheim on morality in education and Travis Hirschi's social control theory including the elements of attachment, connnitment, involvement, and belief, were used as the basis for the generation of hypotheses. Findings included: (1) an increase in student's age increases the frequency in self-reported illegal or deviant behaviors; (2) students who perceive positive parental support report a higher frequency of prosocial attitudes and behaviors; (3) students who reside in a town with a population more than 10,000 people report higher frequencies ofprosocial attitudes and behaviors; (4) students who engage in fewer activities, chores, and hours worked for pay report higher frequencies of prosocial attitudes and behaviors; and ( 5) students who report higher frequencies of exposure to CC! through school, parents, and their connnunity, report higher rates of prosocial attitudes and behaviors.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Moral education -- South Dakota
Character -- Study and teaching -- South Dakota
Educational surveys -- South Dakota
Students -- South Dakota --Attitudes

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright