Abstract

The study examined the influence of psychopathy and cultic disposition on attitudes toward violence among students of tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty six participants completed self- report instruments comprising of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Revised Attitudes toward Violence Scale and Disposition toward Cultism Questionnaire. The research participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. Responses from the survey research were analyzed using multiple regression and correlational analyses. Result of the study showed that both manifestations of psychopathy and disposition towards cultism independently and jointly predict attitudes toward violence. No significant relationship was found between psychopathy and cultic disposition. Results were discussed in line with previous literature and it was recommended that counselors and psychotherapists in tertiary institution settings should conduct holistic assessments of incoming and current students to diagnose for dispositions toward cultism and psychopathic traits so as to prevent occurrence of violent acts in the various academic communities of the country.

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