Self-Esteem, Locus of Control and Demographic Factors Associated with Tolerance for Disagreement

Implications on Recruitment of Road Traffic Controllers

Abstract

The possibility for road traffic controllers and road users to express different perspectives on compliance to traffic rules and regulations is high. Thus, this may increase the likelihood for low tolerance and eventually a disagreement between the two groups. Disagreement between road traffic controllers and road users occur on a daily basis, but minimal research attention has been given to it; hence the need for this study. This study investigated age, gender, self-esteem and job locus of control as correlates of tolerance for disagreement among 458 randomly selected road traffic controllers in Nigeria. Participants’ age ranged between 20-35years (M=27.84; SD=1.98); Lowest academic qualification of participants was Ordinary National Diploma, while the highest was Master’s degree. Validated scales were used for data collection and data collected were analysed with appropriate test statistics using version 21 of the SPSS statistical software. Results suggested significant positive correlations between self-esteem (r = 0.221, p<0.01), job locus of control (r = 0.141, p<0.01) and tolerance for disagreement. However, age and gender of participants did not show any significant influence on their tolerance for disagreement. These results suggest that identification of self-esteem and locus of control among potential road traffic controllers will aid relevant agencies in introducing pre-intervention programs as a post screening measure for traffic controllers. It is recommended that psychological intervention through training be organised for newly recruited road traffic controllers and incumbent traffic controllers