Age, Sex and Self Concepts in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

This study examines age and sex differences in self concept among Nigerian subjects. Self concept was measured with the Tennessee Self Concept Scale which had earlier been found both reliable and valid for the Nigerian population under consideration. The randomly selected subjects included literate males and females aged 14-50 years. Their educational levels ranged from class 3 secondary education to one and half years of university education. The results show that level of self concept increases with age with a plateau from the age of 40 years. This suggests that for this culture the self concept tends to stabilize in the middle age. The effects of sex and sex x age interaction are non-significant. This was explained by reference to the possibility that the female subjects engaged in academic pursuit may have the self confidence to master the demands of academic achievement in a culture where their role is still subordinate.