SOCIAL VALUE ORIENTATION AND LOCUS OF CONTROL AS DETERMINANTS OF CYBERCRIME TENDENCY AMONG YOUTHS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the social value orientation and locus of control as determinants of cybercrime tendency among youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State. Two research questions and their corresponding null hypotheses were developed in line with the psychological variable of social value orientation and locus of control. The ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study using a sample of 450 youths drawn through purposive/ accidental sampling technique. A researcher-developed instrument was used for data collection which was tested for psychometric qualities of validity and reliability. Data analysis was done using mean and standard deviations for the research questions and independent samples’ t-test and ANOVA for testing the hypotheses. Result indicated that there is egoistic social value orientation and external locus of control significantly determined support and involvement in cybercrime. On the basis of the result obtained, it was therefore recommended that opportunities for legitimate internet activities be open to youths so that they can be better productive