THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON ALTRUISTIC BEHAVIOUR

ABSTRACT
This study examined Personality traits, Emotional Intelligence on
Altruistic behavior among secondary school Students in Makurdi
metropolis. The study consisted of 410 students drawn randomly from
21 Government Secondary schools; The participants ranged from 9 – 20
years.The Ex-post facto research design was used and questionnaire
technique adopted as a tool for data collection. 410 participants were
randomly selected among students of 21 Government secondary schools
in Makurdi metropolis. Data was collected using altruistic personality
scale, schutte emotional intelligence scale and the big five inventory
scales. Three hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression and
standard multiple regression. The results showed that emotional
intelligence has significant influence on altruistic behaviour among
secondary school students in Makurdi Metropolis. Also, personality traits
and emotional intelligence was found to have a joint significant influence
on altruistic behaviour among secondary school students in Makurdi
Metropolis. However, personality traits did not predict altruistic
behaviour among secondary school students. It was concluded that:
Personality traits did not significantly predict altruistic behaviour but
Emotional intelligence significantly predicted altruistic behaviour while
Personality traits and Emotional intelligence jointly and significantly
predicted altruistic behaviour. Therefore, the researcher recommended
that students should be able to monitor their own emotions as well
emotions of fellow students. Students should also be able to use
emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour

Keywords: Personality Traits, Emotional Intelligence, Altruistic
Behaviour