Gender Differentials in Sociability Indices among Undergraduates Psychology Students in Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the impact of gender differentials on sociability indices among undergraduate students in a Nigerian university. The findings of this study focused on individual factors inherent in developing good social skills. An understanding of people’s perceptions of social interaction and the role played by their belief system would help in planning intervention programmes that should be beneficial to society. Generally, dominance is usually difficult to be established in a social group without the group members’ attention. Males have been found to assume dominance in relationships by utilizing verbal interruption. They are more likely to use conversation as a method of gaining information and establishing status Females may report higher levels of trust in short-duration virtual teams because they are initially more trusting.  The findings revealed that there was a gender difference between male and female students in terms of sociability. The mean scores of the male students among the items were higher than that of female students. There was a statistically significant difference between the scores (t = 1.723, df = 48, p < 0.01), (t = 1.033, df = 48, p < 0.036). The mean scores of the female students among the items were lower than that of male students on Gender differences and Gender sensitivity in friendship making. There was a statistically significant difference between the scores (t=2.269, df = 47, p < 0.00).   The result of the one-way analysis of variance showed that there was a significant relationship between the sex of the student and attitude towards making and keeping friends (F (1, 48 = 4.112, p < 0.048). There was a significant relationship between the tribe of the student and having opposite sex friend  (F (1, 47 = 4.830, p < 0.033).There was also a significant relationship between religion (F (2, 46 = 4.147, p < 0.02) and tribe (F (2, 46 = 5.928, p < 0.01) of the students with sociable characteristics.  The study concluded that gender differential is an important factor in establishing consistency and feelings of connectedness among individuals. The findings also gave an insight to the understanding of psychological processes that underlie the adoption of positive social identity.