Psycho-sociological factors predisposing attitüde towards learning among secondary school adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated psycho-sociological factors predisposing attitude towards learning among secondary school adolescents in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design of the correlational type with a random sample of 288 adolescents from secondary schools in Oluyole Local Government Area. Three research questions were raised and answered at 0.05 level of significance using Pearsons’ product moment correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The result showed that peer influence, academic anxiety and study habit were significant correlates of students’ attitude towards learning. Regression analysis revealed that the three variables jointly accounted for 41.2% increase in students’ attitude towards learning. The highest predictor was study habit, followed by academic anxiety and peer influence. Students need to be equipped with adequate academic lifestyle which includes the development of a good study habit and academic firmness against peer influence. Human development units such as school counsellors should be given priority to give them the opportunity to build learners academic, emotional and career destiny through annual and bi-annual programmes as well as one on one counselling. School psychologists are enjoined to expose students found with emotional problems such as academic anxiety to psycho-therapies that can help them to adjust and become better persons. Parents should as well join in the task to build the confidence of the adolescents against academic anxiety; this would go a long way in helping the adolescents fulfill their academic dreams.