PREDICTORS OF PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR AMONG STUDENTS AT WACHEMO UNIVERSITY: HADDIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN NATIONS, NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLES REGION

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.