IMPACT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ON POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STUDENT IN DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY ABRAKA

Abstract

This study was on impact of political science education on political behavior of political science education student in Delta state University. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the impact of political science education on behavior of political science education student in Delta state university, to find out the level of political science education knowledge on political behavior of political science education student t in Delta state University, Abraka and to find out the benefit of political science education on political behavior of student in Delta state University, Abraka. In line with these objectives, three research questions and hypotheses were formulated and answered. The total population for the study is 75 students of Delta State University. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study.

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Many social scientists have studied extensively the role of education and how schooling can create different kinds of private and social benefits. In particular, the economics literature has established a causal link between education and private earnings; and more recently, some scholars (Chiswick et al. 2006) have argued that schooling can increase the earnings of immigrants through its effect on language proficiency.

Highly educated people seem to have high interest in public affairs and have a maturity level of attitude in response to various situations and realities. Their educational exposure is a substantial factor in shaping their social insights and attitudes (Ančić et al., 2019). Political knowledge learned by students in a university is thought to influence their attitudes and insights on everything related to the political dimension and the reality associated with it. However, on the other hand, some researchers conclude that studying political sciences help shape students’ negative perceptions on everything related to politics (Oleg & Negrove, 2019).

The debate about the relationship between human knowledge and behavior continues (Agerberg, 2019; Graham, 2020; Henderson, 2014; Nashir et al., 2019; Sanbonmatsu, 2003). The theory of “planned behavior” shows that behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and control of perceived behavior, not by knowledge. According to this theory, there are indications that context-specific local factors have a greater influence on behavioral preference than the knowledge learned (Payne, 2016). The theory of “epigenetic rules” mentions that human behavior is formed programmatically by a genetic factor, not by knowledge. These genetic factors affect the human choice to perform or abandon certain actions (Caputo, 1998; Dupras et al., 2019; Squier, 2017; Yigit, 2018).

It is in line with the socio-psychological theory that the social process forms a particular person’s character, behavior, and even level of wealth (Zhao et al., 2019). Some components of one individual are formed slowly but surely by the social process (Beharie et al., 2017; Dassonneville et al., 2012). Three social components form the self of human: affective components, cognitive components, and conative components. Affective is an emotional component; cognitive is an intellectual component, and is a conative component of habit.

The relation between knowledge and behavior, especially in political sciences, is the concern of many researchers (Jerit & Barabas, 2017; Pérez, 2015). It is assumed that political education will help prepare the students for their future roles as citizens in the community. Political education aims to reverse the wave of declining political participation rates among young age groups, and at the same time nurtures the development of democratic attitudes and behaviors. Dassonneville et al. (2012) study the relation of civic knowledge with the political attitude and behavior among students in Delta state university Abraka. The conclusion of the study suggests that generally, the civic education have a positive effect on the political attitude and behavior among political science education studnts and young adults in Delta. Dassonneville distinguishes between formal civic education, open-classroom climate, and active learning strategies, and their relationship to participation. Formal civic education (in the form of class instruction) and active learning strategies have a positive relationship with political attitudes and behavior

Meanwhile, an open class climate, on the other hand, is significantly related to political belief (Persson, 2013). Persson examines the correlation between. Meanwhile, relative education has a greater effect on the number of voters than absolute (formal) education (Esaiasson & Persson, 2014).

A study by Esaiasson et al. (2014) reveals that there is a positive relationship between political knowledge and students’ actions, especially among students in political sciences (Longo et al., 2006). This research denies the planned behavioral theory claiming that knowledge does not correlate with behavior. Besides, the study concludes that political science students’ political behavior tends to change compared to students of law and communication. The relation of political knowledge and political attitudes is the focus a research by Longo et al. (2006).

Statement of the problem

This study contributes to shorten the current research gap about political behaviors of political science education in which knowledge is often considered as the dominant determinant of the attitudes and behaviors of the students. However, even when students study political knowledge and master it, knowledge still cannot determine their political attitudes and behaviors. Other factors determine the attitudes and behaviors among student, such as religious doctrines. This study confirms the validity of the planned behavior theory which states that it is not knowledge but subject norms which influence an individual’s behaviors. Based on this the researcher wants to investigate the impact of political science education on political behavior of political science education student in Delta state University, Abraka

Objective of the study

The objectives of the stud are;

1. To find out the impact of political science education on behavior of political science education student in Delta state university
2. To find out the level of political science education knowledge on political behavior of political science education student t in Delta state University, Abraka
3. To find out the benefit of political science education on political behavior of student in Delta state University, Abraka

Research question

The study formulated the following research question

1. What is the impact of political science education on behavior of political science education student in Delta state university?
2. What is the level of political science education knowledge on political behavior of political science education student t in Delta state University, Abraka?
3. What is the benefit of political science education on political behavior of student in Delta state University, Abraka?

Research hypotheses

The study formulated the following research hypotheses

H0: there is no impact of political science education on behavior of political science education student in Delta state university

H1: there is impact of political science education on behavior of political science education student in Delta state university

H0: there is no level of political science education knowledge on political behavior of political science education student in Delta state University, Abraka

H2: there is level of political science education knowledge on political behavior of political science education student in Delta state University, Abraka

H0: there is no benefit of political science education on political behavior of student in Delta state University, Abraka

H3: there is benefit of political science education on political behavior of student in Delta state University, Abraka

Significance of the study

the study will be very significant to students, ministry of education and the politicians. The study will give a clear insight on the impact of political science education on political behavior of political science education student in Delta state university. The result of the study will help to know the benefit of to be knowledgeable in political sciences education before being involved in political, this will really affect the political behavior on individual student or  no student. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers impact of political science education on political behavior of political science education student. The study will be limited to student of Delta state university, Abraka

Limitation of the study

The following factors poses to be a limitation during the course of this research

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 Definition of terms

Political science: Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and laws.

Political behavior: Political behavior is the subset of human behavior that involves politics and power.

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