Precursors to Prosociality: SES and its Consequences

It is well documented within the literature that socioeconomic status (SES) is incredibly influential in predicting many developmental and general life outcomes. Among the variables SES affects, prosociality has yielded some of the most inconsistent empirical findings. There is an inconsistency within the literature regarding the impact of SES on prosocial behavior, with one camp suggesting there is a positive relationship and another positing that there is a negative relationship. These camps typically examine the issue via different frameworks, offering different proposed mechanisms to explain differences in prosociality across class. This review seeks to acknowledge the merits and shortcomings across these camps to promote a more nuanced understanding of the role SES plays in either inhibiting or encouraging prosocial action.