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The Role of Logical Consequences and Autonomy Support in Children’s Anticipated Reactions of Anger and Empathy

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Abstract

Objectives

Authority exertion in rule-breaking contexts represents both a considerable challenge and a unique opportunity for parents to foster their children’s internalization process (i.e., children’s process of understanding and abiding to the importance of various rules and their underlying values). In this study, we investigated the effects of two interpersonal rule-reminding climates (autonomy-supportive vs. controlling) and two constraint strategies (logical consequences vs. mild punishments) on two emotional precursors of internalization (empathy and anger). We also extended findings from a past study by looking at the association between these two emotions and children’s acceptability beliefs regarding authority strategies.

Method

221 children (Mage = 10.42) read hypothetical rule-breaking scenarios, indicated their anticipated reactions in terms of anger and empathy, and rated the acceptability of the exerted authority strategies.

Results

Autonomy-supportive climates and logical consequences elicited less anger and more empathy than respectively controlling climates and mild punishments. This emotional pattern was in turn associated with greater acceptability beliefs. Finally, significant indirect links from interpersonal climates and constraint strategies to acceptability beliefs, via anticipated emotions, were observed.

Conclusions

These results highlight the potential relevance of using logical consequences in an autonomy-supportive climate, as this combination of strategies seems more effective in promoting emotional precursors of children’s internalization process.

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Acknowledgements

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) funded and facilitated this research through a grant to the last author and doctoral scholarships to the other authors

Author Contributions

JMR: analyzed the data and wrote the paper. JL: designed and executed the study. LL: collaborated with the writing of the study. GAM: collaborated with the design, data analyses and writing of the study.

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Correspondence to Jean-Michel Robichaud or Geneviève A. Mageau.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

University of Montreal’s ethic committee provided approval for this study.

Informed Consent

Participants gave their informed consent prior to their participation.

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Robichaud, JM., Lessard, J., Labelle, L. et al. The Role of Logical Consequences and Autonomy Support in Children’s Anticipated Reactions of Anger and Empathy. J Child Fam Stud 29, 1511–1524 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01594-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01594-3

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