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Why are smarter individuals more prosocial? A study on the mediating roles of empathy and moral identity

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  • Guo, Qingke
  • Sun, Peng
  • Cai, Minghang
  • Zhang, Xiling
  • Song, Kexin

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is an association between intelligence and prosocial behavior (PSB), and whether this association is mediated by empathy and moral identity. Chinese version of the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, the Self-Report Altruism Scale Distinguished by the Recipient, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Internalization subscale of the Self-Importance of Moral Identity Scale were administered to 518 (N female = 254, M age = 19.79) undergraduate students. The results showed that fluid intelligence was significantly correlated with self-reported PSB; moral identity, perspective taking, and empathic concern could account for the positive association between intelligence and PSB; the mediation effects of moral identity and empathy were consistent across gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Qingke & Sun, Peng & Cai, Minghang & Zhang, Xiling & Song, Kexin, 2019. "Why are smarter individuals more prosocial? A study on the mediating roles of empathy and moral identity," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1-8.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:75:y:2019:i:c:p:1-8
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2019.02.006
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    Cited by:

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    3. Ana J. Cañas-Lerma & M. Elena Cuartero-Castañer & Guido Mascialino & Paula Hidalgo-Andrade, 2021. "Empathy and COVID-19: Study in Professionals and Students of the Social Health Field in Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-9, January.
    4. Karolina Kaczorowska & Jodie Conduit & Steven Goodman, 2024. "Engaging through storytelling: the interplay of engagement with a story, cause, and charity," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(3), pages 265-292, May.
    5. Kentaka Aruga, 2020. "Is Environmental Awareness a Good Predictor of an Individual’s Altruism Level?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-12, September.
    6. Andrea Amelio & Florian Zimmermann, 2023. "Motivated Memory in Economics—A Review," Games, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Hur, Yoon-Mi, 2020. "Relationships between cognitive abilities and prosocial behavior are entirely explained by shared genetic influences: A Nigerian twin study," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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