Benue State University, Makurdi

PERSONALITY TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES IN LAGOS METROPOLIS OF NIGERIA

Alex Igundunasse, Funmi Ogunseye

Abstract

This present study was aimed at examining the relationship between personality traits specifically the Big Five (Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and Extraversion) and environmental attitudes. The study also aimed at understanding the particular personality trait(s) predicted environmental attitudes. It was hypothesized that personality traits would correlate with environmental attitudes. It was also hypothesized that Openness to Experience would be highest predictor of environmental attitudes. The study adopted a convenient sampling technique with 326 respondents who were all residents of Lagos metropolis within the ages of 20 to 50 years. The scales used in the course of the research were Big Five Inventory developed by John and Srivastava (1999) and Taj Environmental Attitude Scale developed byHaseen Taj in 2001. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage, were employed in the analysis of demographic data while Pearson correlation test, Regression and ANOVA were used for hypotheses testing. Personality traits (Big Five) correlated with environmental attitudes and Openness to Experience was the highest predictor of environmental attitudes. Also, respondents with tertiary educational attainment had positive attitudes when compared with those with lower educational attainment. Research findings showed that personality traits,Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience and Extraversion were related to the environment favourably or unfavourably in one way or another. Findings have policy implications for public health in this part of the world and the need for reorientation is imperative.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE (CLICK)