Abstract:
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the predictors of pro-social behavior among
students at Wachemo University. In undertaking the study, descriptive survey research design
was used. The study were used both qualitative and quantitative method to interpret the data
numerically and the themes by quotes. The study was carried out on 284 students. From this,
148 were male and 136 were female and also104 were urban students and 180 were rural
students from seven departments. Dean of College of Social Science and Humanities and
seven department heads were selected for interview purposes through purposive sampling
technique. The student sample was done through stratified random sampling. Questionnaires’
and interviews were employed for data collection. Data collected from the field were coded
and entered in to the computer for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science
version-20 windows. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Independent
sample t- test were used as data analysis techniques. Accordingly the key findings of this study
was that most students were highly tended to behave in a pro-social manner. Moreover,
majority of male and urban students were high on the status of pro-social behavior. From the
types of pro-social behavior compliant and altruistic types of pro-social behavior were
common on both in gender and in locality in the study area. Regarding to the predictors of
pro-social behavior, collectivism, individualism and religious involvements were high on
female students and rural students. There were statistically significant mean score difference
in gender and in locality in those predictors. The study concluded that, most of the students
were more interested to help people for the purpose of the personal needs to help without
expecting or getting reward for helping the person. Motivation from teachers of each
department and contributions from the College and University as well develop student’s
pro-social behavior. Therefore, it was suggested that, the College of Social Science and
Humanities instructors at Wachemo University should also consider to prepare female and
rural students to contribute a lot to the pro-social behavior and religious institutions builds
positive attitude on both male and urban students to enhance pro-social behavior at school.
