Communication and Prosocialization: Understanding the Development of Inclusive Morality

Authors

• Hannah Smith, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Jordan Soliz

Date of this Version

7-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Communication Studies

Under the supervision of Professor Jordan Soliz

Lincoln, Nebraska, July 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Hannah Smith. Used by permission

Abstract

Relationships between individuals from different social or cultural groups are often impacted by ingroup favoritism, outgroup bias, and structural inequity determined by a person's social and cultural identities. Recognizing this, scholars and practitioners for the last few decades have attempted to address this by creating interventions, workshops, and other applied programs that aim to reduce this intergroup bias and ameliorate the negative consequences. The current dissertation complements this body of applied scholarship by shifting the focus from reducing and minimizing bias to focusing on processes that lead to a more prosocial and inclusive worldview.

The overall aim is to understand how inclusive morality is socialized and developed within an individual. Inclusive morality refers to a worldview in which empathy, compassion, caring, and concern extends to social and cultural outgroups. To achieve this objective, two studies were completed. Study one introduced the idea of intergroup prosocialization as parental socialization practices that lead to the development of inclusive morality. Through survey data collection and quantitative analysis, five dimensions of intergroup prosocialization (e.g., direct messages, action modeling) were identified and statistically associated with various dimensions of inclusive morality. Study 2 built on these findings by exploring familial and non-familial developmental influences via interviews with individuals who chose to work in professional environments prioritizing social equity and human rights. Collectively, these two studies provide insight into the socializing agents, impactful messages and behaviors, and experiences that lead to a more inclusive and prosocial worldview. Findings from the dissertation project are discussed in terms of applied implications for families and other socializing agents (e.g., education) and trajectories for future scholarship.

Advisor: Jordan Soliz

Recommended Citation

Smith, Hannah, "Communication and Prosocialization: Understanding the Development of Inclusive Morality" (2026). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 521.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/521