The Effects of Schooling on Thinking in Northeastern Nigeria with Implications for Christian Education

Abstract

The study investigates the effects of schooling on the way males of northeastern Nigeria prefer to sort dissimilar stimuli into equivalent groups. A picture-grouping instrument was constructed, field-tested and administered to 130 Tangale males. The sample was composed of farmers, pastors and teachers. Results showed a positive and significant correlation between the amount of schooling and the number of superordinate strategies used for making groups. There was no correlation between the recency of schooling and preference for using superordinate strategies; thus the effects of schooling did not “wear off.” Implications for Bible teaching, leadership development and theological education are discussed.