Abstract:
This study examined how one's level of moral reasoning, the cost of helping, and human
relationships influence one's altruistic orientation. Two hundred and fourteen subjects (123
males and 91 females) aged between 16 and 22 years with an average age of 18 years from three mixed Sixth Form secondary schools in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana participated in the study. materials were the short form of Rest James (1979) Defining Issue Test (DIT) and the Self report Altruism Scale (SRAS). Results indicated significant main effects between each of the three independent variables and altruistic orientation. In addition, there were significant differences in the amount of help offered at each level of moral reasoning. at each level of cost as well as the amount of help offered to the three different victims.
Furthermore, there were interaction effects of any two combinations of the three independent variables on altruistic orientation. However, there was no interaction among all the three independent variables combined. These findings suggest that all three variables influence altruistic orientation in one way or the other. It is therefore recommended that measures should be taken to improve children's level of moral reasoning: and that in situations where cost of helping is high, request for assistance must be presented in piecemeal where possible, and that education should be mounted to impress upon individuals and groups to look beyond helping only kin and/or friends so as ensure equitable treatment for all.
