Constructive and Destructive Behavior : Implications for Family, School and Society

How does certain behaviour develop? If it is constructive, how can it be promoted? Conversely, how can destructive behaviour be controlled?

This study fuses the work of scolars in educational, developmental, clinical, social and personality psychology to explore these complex questions.

This collection of empirically grounded chapters explores theory and experimantal findings on the gamut of what influences prosocial and antisocial expression, finally laying to rest the simplistic debates about whether media violence causes real violence or whether catharsis is good.

Scientists and practitioners will gain perspectives on the context within which these behaviours thrive: how empathy develops, how self-control in childhood predicts adult behaviour, how age and sex influence bullying, whether early intervention can prevent delinquency, and how school success lays the groundwork for constructive lives.