ASSESSING THE PATTERNS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES AT OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

Abstract

he study assessed the patterns of social interaction among undergraduates at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Two research questions were raised to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design with a population comprising all undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The sample for the study consisted of 200 respondents who were selected using purposive sampling technique. The instrument used for the study was a self-designed questionnaire titled 'Undergraduates Patterns of Social Interaction Questionnaire' (UPSIQ). The validity of the instrument was determined through face and content validity while the reliability of the instrument was determined using a test-retest method and a reliability co-efficient of 0.76 was obtained. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation, bar charts, and pie charts. The study discovered that the prevalent forms and pattern of social interaction among students is within their social circles. It was discovered that students exhibited social interaction predominantly for ecological factors while other reasons ranked biological, basic cognitive processes, characteristics and actions of others as well as cultural context in that order. The study, therefore, recommended among others that different fora where intra and inter-ethnic interactions take place should be encouraged among undergraduates.