Ethnocentrism and Global Identity as Predictors of Attitude towards Herdsmen-farmers Conflict in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined if ethnocentrism and global identity were predictors of attitude (Positive or Negative) towards herdsmen among secondary school students of Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local government Area Enugu state and Awka metropolis, Anambra state Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty-two (232) participants (male 111, 47.8%) and (female 121, 52.2%) were randomly selected from four secondary schools. Their ages ranged from 14-18 (M= 15.99, SD=1.10). Three instruments were used for data collection (Ethnocentrism Scale by Neulip & McCroskey, 2013; Global Identity Scale by Turken & Rudmin 2013 and Attitude towards Herdsmen Scale, 2018 developed in the course of this study. The study was a cross-sectional survey and Pearson correlation design was adopted while and regression statistics were used for analysis. The results showed that ethnocentrism and locality were positively and negatively related to attitude towards herdsmen respectively while global identity did not predict attitude towards herdsmen. Based on the findings, the study implicated attitudinal bias and ethnic sentiments which may be localized as a result of experiences and interactions of the group. It is therefore recommended that desensitization programs along ethnic and religious line be encouraged in areas with herdsmen attack experiences and vulnerable areas under perpetual fear of attack in order to reduce ethnic bigotry and hatred capable of inflaming reprisal attack from the community in order to promote peace and cohabitation.