Author : Padit, Rogelio L.

Summary : This study primarily aimed to explore the attitude toward improving the level of living among rural Malays in two villages of the Kubang Pasu District in Malaysia. The specific objectives were: a) to analyze the relationship between selected sociodemographic variables and the attitude toward improving the level of living, and b) to identify the profiles of those with positive attitude toward improving their level of living.

Data collected from 120 male heads of households revealed that their attitude scores toward improving the level of living was average. This was manifested by their average exposure toward change agents, high aspiration to improve their lives, and an average score on the Internal-External Locus of control scale. The years of schooling and income per month were found to be significant and positively related to the attitude toward improving the level of living. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there were differences in the mean score between respondents who were uneducated and those with primary and secondary levels of education. Differences of group mean score were also found between those earning below and above M$500 per month.

The profiles of individuals with positive attitude toward improving the level of living were those with income of more than M$500, have more land, were highly exposed to change agents, and possessed self-control; and those who attained at least primary education, and still young, do not necessarily own any land, and highly exposed to change agents, and have aspirations to improve themselves.