Psychological predictor of quick-money making tendency among adolescent in Uyo

L.G.A

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

There are several psychological factors that can contribute to quick-money making
tendencies in adolescents. One of the most significant is a lack of impulse control.
Adolescents who struggle with impulse control may be more likely to engage in
impulsive and risky behaviors, including those that involve seeking quick financial gain.
During adolescence, individuals become more autonomous and begin to make
decisions independently of adults (Blakemore and Robbins, 2012, Steinberg, 2008).
Epidemiological data show that this period is associated with increases in health
risk behaviours including drug and alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours
compared to childhood, and many studies report increased adolescent risk-taking using
self-report measures and cognitive tasks (Braams et al., 2015, Crone et al., 2016, Duell
et al., 2018, Defoe et al., 2015, Rosenbaum and Hartley, 2019).
Another factor is a lack of future orientation. Adolescents who have a difficult time
envisioning their future may be more likely to prioritize immediate financial gain over
long-term goals and planning. This can lead to a focus on short-term gains rather than
investing in education or career development. Additionally, low self-esteem and a desire
for social status can contribute to quick-money making tendencies. Adolescents who
feel inadequate or inferior may seek out ways to gain status and respect through
material possessions or financial gain. This can lead to a focus on quick and easy ways
to make money, rather than pursuing more sustainable and legitimate means of
financial success.
The act of decision-making involves multiple component processes (Blakemore and
Robbins, 2012). It has been hypothesized that differing developmental trajectories of
the brain regions involved in these processes might underlie some of the increased
risky decision-making associated with adolescence (Casey et al., 2011, Shulman et al.,
2016). Specifically, the ‘dual systems hypothesis’ proposes that subcortical brain
regions involved in reward processing develop earlier in adolescence than prefrontal
cortical regions involved in cognitive control (Casey et al., 2011, Shulman et al., 2016).
The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control and decision-making,
develops more slowly than the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and
reward-seeking behavior. This imbalance can lead to a greater tendency to prioritize
immediate rewards over long-term consequences, which can contribute to quick-money
making tendencies in adolescents.

In addition to these psychological factors, external factors such as poverty and lack
of access to resources can also contribute to quick-money making tendencies in
adolescents. Adolescents who grow up in poverty may feel a greater sense of urgency
to make money quickly in order to meet their basic needs or to help support their
families. They may also lack access to education and career opportunities, which can
limit their options for legitimate financial success.Overall, quick-money making
tendencies in adolescents can be influenced by a range of psychological and external
factors.
Finally, exposure to negative role models and environments can also contribute to
quick-money making tendencies. Adolescents who grow up in environments where
criminal activity or risky behaviors are normalized may be more likely to engage in these
behaviors themselves.
Conclusion: Understanding the psychological predictors of quick-money making
tendencies in adolescents is crucial for developing effective interventions and support
for at-risk youth. By addressing underlying issues such as impulse control, future
orientation, self-esteem, and exposure to negative environments, we can help young
people make more informed and positive decisions about their financial futures.

Understanding these factors can help parents, educators, and policymakers develop
strategies to support adolescents in making responsible financial decisions and
pursuing sustainable paths to financial success.

1.1 Statement of Problem

Much have been written in recent decades about the experience of inordinate
desire to acquire money overnight. From general observations, the severity of immoral
actions associated with quick-money-syndrome such as peddling hard drugs,
committing armed-robberies, prostitution, murder, human trafficking, electoral thurggery,
419 fraudstering, assassination, kidnapping, and ritual killings, has reached a point
where common decency can no longer be described as common6. Also in popular
literature and personal accounts, views of the wealthy and the means of acquiring
wealth by many have been largely negative. Yet, no empirical study has been done on
this subject matter. This is very worrisome because the sudden leap attitude has the
tendency of exerting negative influence on the society. It follows that the way by which
a person comes into wealth is an important determinant of how wealth affects the
personality and character of the person involved as well as other members of the
society.
The fact that the values of hard work, honesty, modesty, prudence, and dignity of
labour has been relegated to the background as a result of the quick-money-syndrome
is a very serious problem in the society today which poses a tremendous barrier to the
moral, spiritual, social and economic development of the Nigerian populace especially
the youths. This lends credence to the fact that, there are many outcries against
immorality with this lifestyle in the Nigerian society today. Also, the level of indiscipline
and crime waves among the youths has seriously escalated in geometric progression
due to wrong value orientation8.The gravity of the issue of quick-money-syndrome
therefore, has motivated the researcher to examine the socio-religious impact of the
quick-fix syndrome among youths in Uyo Metropolis.

1.2 Research Question

What psychological factors predict a quick-money making tendency among
adolescents in Uyo L.G.A?

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The purpose of the study is to
1. identify and understand the specific psychological factors that are associated
with an inclination towards quick-money making behaviors among adolescents
in this specific region.
2. It aims to investigate the underlying psychological factors that may influence
adolescents' decision-making processes and motivations when it comes to
quick-money making, with the ultimate goal of developing effective
interventions and preventive measures to address any negative consequences
of such behaviors.

1.4 Significance of the study

This study is significant in the following ways:
First, quick-money-syndrome phenomenon is a deadly socio-ethical problem in
the Nigerian society and efforts should be put in place by governments and different
organizations and even well meaning individuals to checkmate the problem in the
society.
This research work therefore, seeks to contribute to this aspect by taking a
survey of what the people especially young people are doing to resolve this moral crisis
associated with the youths in the Nigerian society. Secondly, it seeks to contribute to
the pool of literature that has been generated about the sudden wealth in the society
and serve as a resource or reference material to others who may want to undertake
further research in this area. Thirdly, the research is expected to chart a path for the
critical appraisal of the central role of quick-fix or sudden leap in the society. Finally the
study is expected to serve as a source of encouragement to hardworking and morally
upright young people in the society, as this will enable them to know that their efforts,
no matter how little, are not in vain.