This research examined the correlates of prosocial moral reasoning (PMR) in 2 studies. Study I investigated age, gender, and culture group differences in PMR in Brazilian children and adolescents (n = 265) and U.S. adolescents (n -67}. Relations between PMR and both prosocial behaviors and gender role orientations in Brazilian adolescents (n » 136) were explored in Study 2. Self-reflective, internalized reasoning was positively related, and hedonistic reasoning was negatively related, to peer ratings of prosocial behaviors. Femininity was associated with more self-reflective, internalized concerns and with less concerns regarding gaining others' approval. In general, age and gender differences in PMR were similar for both Brazilian and U.S. adolescents. However, U.S. adolescents scored higher on internalized moral reasoning than Brazilian adolescents. Discussion focused on the correlates of PMR in Brazilian ami U.S. children.Children and adolescents often are faced with the decision to help others at some cost to themselves. Many times, these decisions are difficult because they arise in situations in which formal external guidelines are absent or unclear. Decisions in those contexts have been the focus of researchers interested in prosocial moral reasoning (Le., reasoning about moral dilemmas in which one person's needs or desires conflict with those of needy others in a context in which the role of prohibitions, authorities' dictates, and formal obligations are minimal or absent; Eisenberg, 1986; see Rest, 1983).According to Eisenberg (1986), developmental changes in prosocial moral reasoning are somewhat consistent with developmental changes in justice-oriented, Kohlbergian (Colby, Kohlberg, Gibbs, & Lieberman, 1983) moral reasoning. This similarity is due to the role of cognition as a necessary but not sufficient factor for some types of morai reasoning. However, Eisenberg (Eisenberg & Shell, 1986; Eisenberg etal., 1987) has argued and presented some supportive evidence that individuals' level of prosocial moral reasoning, within the limits of their sociocognitive competence, varies as a function of personal

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PurposeTo determine morphologic and functional alterations of the systemic ventricle in patients after atrial switch operation for the correction of complete transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). Right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) volumes were compared with those of normals. MethodsMRI examinations were performed in 37 patients (24 male and 13 female) after Mustard/Senning-operation (MSO-atrial switch) to correct d-TGA. A complete set of short axis slices were acquired using steady state free precession sequences on a 1,5 T-scanner (Gyroscan ASC-NT, PowerTrak 6000, Philips). RV and LV parameters were compared between the patient group and normal values. ResultsCompared to normal values (26 ± 5 g/m 2 ) right ventricular muscle mass of MSO-patients (43.6 ± 16.2 g/m 2 ) was significantly higher. The stroke volume of patients (33.8 ± 10.4 ml/m 2 ) was significantly lower compared to controls (46 ± 8 ml/m 2 ). The mean RV ejection fraction of patients (43,6 ± 9%) was also decreased (normal value: 43-63%). Patients with a stronger hypertrophy of the RV (>40 g/m 2 ) had a significant higher ejection fraction and a significant lower enddiastolic volume than those with RV muscle mass within normal values (<40 g/m 2 ) (Fig. 1). Comparing the RV (systemic ventricle) of patients and the LV of controls (systemic ventricle) a significant lower muscle mass was found in patients (43,6 ± 16,2 g/m 2 vs. 87 ± 12 g/m 2 ). We also found a significant lower ejection fraction (43,6 ± 9%) and a significant lower stroke volume (33,8 ± 10,4 ml/m 2 ) in patients compared with controls.

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