Relationship between Social Cognition, Social Adjustment and Pro-Social Behaviour among Undergraduates in Federal Universities in South-East Nigeria
L. I. Akunne *
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
C. A. Nwankwo
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
A. V. Etele
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
V. N. Nwadinobi
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The thrust of this study was to determine the relationship between social cognition, social adjustment and prosocial behaviour among undergraduates in federal universities in South-east. Nigeria.
Study Design: The study adopted the correlational survey design.
Place and Duration of Study: Undergraduates in federal universities in South-east, Nigeria (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Federal University of Technology, Owerri FUTO, Federal University Ndifu-Alike, Ebonyi State and Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike), between January 2023 and April 2023.
Methodology: The sample for the study comprised of 1500 undergraduates drawn from two federal universities (University of Nigeria = 780, Nnamdi Azikiwe university = 720). The instruments for data collection were the social cognition questionnaire, social adjustment scale and pro-social behaviour scale. The instruments were validated and its reliability determined using Cronbach alpha reliability statistics (r = 0.786, r = 0.748 & r = 0.631). Data collected was analysed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and t-test for correlation analysis. The research questions were answered using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, while hypotheses were tested using the t-test for correlation analysis.
Results: The findings of the study revealed a high positive relationship between social cognition and prosocial behaviour among undergraduates in federal universities in South-east, and a very high positive relationship between social adjustment and prosocial behaviour among undergraduates in federal universities in South-east. The findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between social cognition and prosocial behaviour among undergraduates in federal universities in South-east. Also the findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between social adjustment and prosocial behaviour among undergraduates in federal universities in South-east, Nigeria.
Conclusion: Professional psychologist in collaboration with universities should develop psychological programmes tailored towards behaviours and undergraduates engaging in them.
Keywords: Social cognition, social adjustment, prosocial behaviour, undergraduates, universities