The Relative Contribution of Moral Intelligence in Predicting Altruistic Behavior among University of Benghazi Students

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the relative contribution of moral intelligence — as a whole and through its six sub-dimensions (empathy, conscience, self-control, respect, tolerance, and fairness) — in predicting altruistic behavior among students at the University of Benghazi. A descriptive correlational method was adopted, with a sample of (159) male and female students selected through available random sampling. Two scales, developed by the researcher, were administered to measure moral intelligence and altruistic behavior, after verifying their validity and reliability. Results showed that both moral intelligence and altruistic behavior levels among the sample were high, with a statistically significant positive correlation between the two variables (r = 0.382). Simple regression analysis revealed that moral intelligence accounted for 14.6% of the variance in altruistic behavior, while multiple regression analysis showed that the six dimensions combined explained 18.8% of this variance, with empathy and fairness emerging as the only statistically significant predictors. The study recommends designing programs to develop moral intelligence among university students, with emphasis on empathy and fairness, and conducting future longitudinal or experimental studies to confirm the causal direction of the relationship between the two variables.