The Role Of Personality Traits And Problem-Solving Strategies On Altruism In University Students

Abstract

The spread of altruism in society can reduce the problems caused by the loss of moral and humanistic values. In order to develop altruistic behavior, it is necessary to determine the personality traits and problem-solving ability that are likely to be associated with it. The aim of the study is to examine the role of personality traits and problem-solving strategies on altruism. A total of 454 university students, 309 females and 145 males, participated in the research by random selection method. The following scales were used for the study: Altruism Scale, Eysenck Personality Inventory-Extroversion Scale, Social Problem Solving Inventory-Short Form. No difference was found when altruism levels were compared by gender. Extroverts scored significantly higher than introverts on altruism and its subscales. According to the correlation analysis, there was a moderate positive relationship between altruism, extroversion and social problem-solving skills. According to the regression analysis, it is seen that extroversion and social problem-solving skills explain 20% of the total variance in altruism. Considering the significance tests of the regression coefficients, the predictor variables extroversion and social problem-solving skills significantly predict altruism. In particular, possible moderating and mediating variables should be investigated in the relationship between social problem-solving and altruism.