Question

A toddler sees his mother lying in bed because she doesn't feel well, so he gives her his favorite blanket because he knows that it always makes him feel better. This is an example of ______.

a) Altruism
b) Egocentrism
c) Symbolic play
d) Prosocial behavior

Answer 1

The correct answer to the question is d) Prosocial behavior, as the toddler's action of giving his favorite blanket to his mother to make her feel better is an example of voluntarily offering help and displaying empathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described where a toddler offers his favorite blanket to his unwell mother is an illustration of prosocial behavior. This is because the toddler voluntarily performs a behavior with the intent to help another person. Altruism is a specific type of prosocial behavior that is characterized by selfless concern for the well-being of others, without seeking personal benefit or expecting anything in return.

While the child's understanding is limited, the gesture of offering comfort with something that helps him indicates an empathetic response that aligns with altruistic action, despite the potential egocentrism typical of toddlers. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is d) Prosocial behavior. Altruism is often debated in psychological research in terms of its motives and whether it is purely selfless or comes with intrinsic rewards, like feeling good about oneself, but in this case, the child's action is primarily intended to offer comfort.