Which behavior is most directly associated with prosocial development?

• A. Helping others even when it costs the child
• B. Harming others to achieve a goal
• C. Withholding assistance
• D. Ignoring others' distress

Answer: (A)

Prosocial development is about actions that are intended to benefit others, like helping, sharing, or comforting someone in need. Helping others even when it costs the child shows a clear willingness to place others’ needs above personal gain, which is a defining example of prosocial motivation in action. It demonstrates concern for others and a readiness to act to support them, even at a personal sacrifice. The other behaviors—harming others to achieve a goal, withholding assistance, or ignoring someone’s distress—reflect self-serving, antisocial, or unresponsive patterns rather than prosocial development. So, choosing the behavior that involves helping despite personal cost best illustrates prosocial development.