Final answer:
It is true that children become capable of being deliberately prosocial or antisocial as they observe and imitate the behavior of adults and peers around them, particularly as they develop theory-of-mind.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most children become capable of being deliberately prosocial or antisocial is true. Children learn a great deal from observing the behaviors of those around them, whether it's in the family, among peers, or in society at large. This observational learning can lead to both prosocial and antisocial behaviors. For example, when children witness their parents managing conflict through aggression, they may imitate these actions. Conversely, children who see positive behaviors, such as kindness and problem-solving, are likely to emulate those as well.
By the time children reach a certain cognitive development stage, typically by the time they exit early childhood, they become capable of understanding others' perspectives, a concept known as theory-of-mind (TOM). This awareness enables them to deliberately choose how they interact with others, making the decision to either help or harm, which is the basis of prosocial and antisocial behavior, respectively.