THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON CAUSATIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN CORRUPT SOCIETY AND YOUTHS’ NEGATIVE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

AYORINDE, Agbonna Samuel Ph.D. & ARIGUZO, O. Genevieve, Ph.D.

Abstract

Many Nigerian youths are socialized in corrupt practices that enmeshed their societies. To examine the impacts of exposure to corrupt practices on youths’ character development in Nigerian societies, this paper, identified samples of corrupt practices in Nigerian societies and theoretically discusses their implications for character development among youths. Precisely, the theoretical paper establishes a causative interaction between Nigerian corrupt society and development of negative character among youths by using behavioural learning theories for illustrations. The theories used include: Observational Learning, Direct Personal Experience or Mere Exposure, Aggressive Scripts, Social Learning, and Control Theory. In addition to these, the paper proffers strategies (remedial approaches) through which the Nigerian child can be revived from experience of corruption and made to develop good character. The paper concludes that high incidence of corruption in the country will lead to development of bad character among Nigerian youths if concerted remedies are not put in place.