INFLUENCE OF GROUP COHESIVENESS AND INDIVIDUATION ON CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR TENDENCY AMONG EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

This study examined the influence of group cohesiveness and individuation on criminal tendency behaviour. The study employed an expo facto research design, which is a type of survey research. A total of 274 participants were selected from the Ekiti State University students. Data used for the study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire consisting of the Group Cohesion Scale, Individuation Scale and Criminal Attitude and Association Scale. Results showed that group cohesiveness (t =6.409, p <.05) and individuation (t=2.033, p<.05) are good predictors of criminal tendency behaviour among EKSU undergraduates. It was also revealed that there is no significant difference in criminal tendency behaviour between male and female genders (t=.055, p >.05), and also no significant difference in criminal tendency behaviour was experienced among EKSU undergraduates across different ages (F (2, 271), p>.05). The study recommends providing proper interventions, such as orientation programmes, to enhance students’ sense of individuality and personal responsibility. Additionally, further research is needed to examine the factors influencing group cohesiveness and cultural factors influencing criminal tendencies  Keywords: criminal behaviour, group cohesion, individuation, criminal tendency behaviour