Applying Discriminant Analysis Technique to The Study of Selected Nigerian Social Value Orientations

The study was aimed at identifying Nigerian ethnic characteristics which are associated with specific social-value orientations. The subjects comprised 196 persons chosen randomly from a pool of 396 respondents who participated in a study on the relationship between socio-cultural systems, value orientations and career aspirations. The number represented 72 lgbo, 61 Yoruba, and 63 Hausa (N= 196). The 18 discriminating social-values items were selected from 25 original items. Discriminant Analysis was employed as a classificatory technique to the data on social value orientations. Two statistically significant discriminant .functions were produced: one accounting for 62.4 percent of total variance with Wilk's A =.499 x² (df 40)= 128.356, p<.001 and the other had Wilk's A=.760, x² (df 19) = 50.611, p<.001. The items were also used as predictors for the groups in terms of 'actual' group and 'predicted' group membership. All differences in 'actual' group and 'predicted' group membership were statistically significant. Results were interpreted as meaning that the major ethnic groups show significant value differentiation and that these differences lie at the base of their cultural patterns and influence their behaviours towards each other. An understanding of the pattern of these value differentiations may improve the dynamics of group mana­ gerent in Nigeria thus reducing those conflicts which usually arise as the goal - directed activities of one group are interfered with the activities of the other. The need for further psychological studies in value differentiation is recommended.