ASSESSMENT OF PERSONALITY DYNAMICS, SELF-ESTEEM AS PREDICTORS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between personality dynamics, self-esteem as predictors of criminal behaviour among undergraduate students of Nasarawa State University Keffi. Survey design was employed sampling one hundred and one (101) participants both male and female. Three instruments were adopted to collect data with three hypotheses. First hypothesis shows that all the traits have weak influence on criminal behaviour, but the prediction level differs in direction and strength between and among the traits. All the traits apart from conscientiousness have a positively weak influence on criminality. The result revealed, E (R = .036, t (.355); p≥0.05), A (R = .335, t (2.368); p≤ 0.05), C (R = -.472, t (-2.293); p≤ 0.05), N (R = .176, t (1.090); p≥ 0.05 and O (R = -.063, t (-.627); p ≥ 0.05). Second hypothesis shows that there is a negatively weak significant relationship between criminal behaviour and self-esteem r = -.21, p≤0.05 (.03). Hypothesis three indicates that there is an insignificant difference between gender and criminality. The differences was observed in the mean column and the point of difference is (-0.1271). This means that, criminal tendencies have nothing to do with ones gender. Other factors are more responsible than gender t = -.266, df (99); p≥0.05 (.791). We therefore, concluded and recommended that personality dynamics and self- esteem are important predictors of criminal behaviour. Personality targeted interventions aimed at curbing criminal behaviour should be developed specifically for individuals low in conscientiousness as such individuals have been proven to be more likely to exhibit criminal behaviour.