Reciprocal altruism: It's relationship to locus of control and dispositional optimism among Nigerian undergraduates. Issue 2 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Afolabi, Olukayode AyoOluwa; Dennis, Uba
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychology in Africa. Volume 29:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: dispositional optimism -- locus of control -- reciprocal altruism; Psychology -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Black people -- Latin America -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Black people -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.8496
• DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1594652
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-0237

Abstract

Abstract : The study examined locus of control and dispositional optimism influences on reciprocal altruism among Nigerian university undergraduate students. Participants consisted of 253 undergraduate students in their second year of study (males = 151 (60%), females = 102 (40%); mean age = 21.2, SD = 9.10). They completed the Dispositional Optimism Test-Revised (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994 ), the Altruistic Personality Scale (Rushton, Chrisjohn & Fekken, 1981 ), and the Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966 ). Multiple regression analysis indicated that internal locus of control positively predicted reciprocal altruism; while dispositional optimism did not. Future research should examine other dimensions of optimism such as adaptive utility, comparative and strategic dispositional optimism involved that may provide more insight into the understanding of reciprocal altruism in Nigeria.