Effects of values clarification and gender on success orientation among undergraduates in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

University undergraduates are faced with numerous challenges of life fulfillment, which trap them in the intricate web of conflict between the need to compete in a perceived highly corrupt society where mediocrity is exalted, and the need to focus on values adjudged right for their drives towards success. This discord is a concern for youths in general and more for university undergraduates because their plans, goals and aspirations are webbed around preparation for a diversity of careers. This study examined the effects of values clarification and gender on success orientation among undergraduates in South West, Nigeria. Quasi experimental pre and post-tests control group research design was employed. The target population comprised all 300Level undergraduates in federal universities in South West, Nigeria. Multistage sampling process was used to select a sample of 175 from the finite population of 351 undergraduates. Two research questions were raised and two research hypotheses were tested in the study. Baseline Assessment Questionnaire (BAQ), Values Clarification Questionnaire (VCQ) and Success Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) were the three research instruments used for the study. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significant levels. The results revealed that values clarification was effective in enhancing success orientation of undergraduates. The results showed no significant differences in undergraduates’ success orientation due to gender. Based on these findings, it was recommended that university authorities should design and regularly expose undergraduates to values clarification training in order to enhance their success orientation.

Keywords: Values clarification, Success orientation, Moral values, Academic values, Goal determination