MORAL BEHAVIOUR OF MALAY YOUTH FROM RELIGIOUS AND NONRELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Abstract

This study has examined the differences in moral behaviour of Malay youth from religious and nonreligious schools. The sample consisted of 240 male and female secondary students from nonreligious schools, selected in a random stratified sampling basis. Self-report questionnaire and Tegensees One religious and one nonreligious school were selected from each state. Fifteen each male and female students from each school participated in the study. A moral behaviour questionnaire was constructed containing both positive and negative moral behaviours. The study found that youth from religious schools exhibit significantly higher positive moral behaviours and significantly fewer negative moral behaviours. The results also showed a main effect of type of school indicating higher moral behaviour scores for the religious schools. A frequency analysis indicated higher percentages of both positive and negative behaviours for the different four religious schools. The results further suggest that positive as well as negative moral behaviour is culture-specific and environment-based.