Locus of Control Flashcards
Rotter (1966). Generalised expectancies for internal verses external control of reinforcement aim
To review research into internal/external LoC and Behaviour and to devise a questionnaire to measure LoC.
Rotter (1966). Generalised expectancies for internal verses external control of reinforcement procedure
Reviewed several published and unpublished studies that investigated the links between LoC and other psychological variables. Also reviewed questionnaires designed to measure LoC including his own the internal-external scale (I-E scale).
Rotter (1966). Generalised expectancies for internal verses external control of reinforcement findings
He found that the I-E scale is a reliable and valid measure of LoC. He also found from the research that internals are more likely than externals to improvet heir environment, to resist attempts to influence them and to be concerned with skill and ability.
· Non-smokers were significantly more internal than smokers.
· Males who read an anti-smoking message and then gave up smoking were more likely to be internals than people who did not give up.
Rotter (1966). Generalised expectancies for internal verses external control of reinforcement conclusion
LoC is a powerful predictor of a wide variety of behaviours in many situations. LoC can be reliably measured in adults and children using several methods including the I-E scale. Rotter suggested that LoC is affected by factors such as type of parenting, culture, and socioeconomic influences.
Abouserie (1994). Sources and levels of stress in relation to locus of control and self-esteem in university students aim
To identify academic sources of stress in students, investigate gender differences and examine links between sources of stress, locus of control (LoC) and self-esteem
Abouserie (1994). Sources and levels of stress in relation to locus of control and self-esteem in university students procedure
675 students (70% females) completed four questionnaires:
· Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ) – 34 causes of stress related to learning or social factors.
· Life Stress Questionnaire (LSQ) – 54 items divided into low/ moderate/ serious/ very serious.
· LoC Scale – Success/failure.
· Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale – 10 items.
Abouserie (1994). Sources and levels of stress in relation to locus of control and self-esteem in university students findings
Academic-related sources were most successful. In terms of life stress 77.6% reported moderate stress and 12% reported no problem. Academic and life stress were both reported higher in females.
· The was a significant positive correlation between LoC and academic stress but none between LoC and life stress.
· There were significant negative correlations between self-esteem and both academic and life stress.
Abouserie (1994). Sources and levels of stress in relation to locus of control and self-esteem in university students conclusion
Most students experience moderate academic stress. With about 10% needing help to improve their coping resources. Further research is needed to discover why female students appear to have higher stress levels. Counselling can help students to change their LoC into a more internal direction which will help them deal with stress.
Krause (1986). Stress and coping: Reconceptualising the role of locus of control beliefs aim
To see if older adults with an extreme internal or external LoC will experience stressful life events more strongly than people with a moderate internal or external LoC.
Krause (1986). Stress and coping: Reconceptualising the role of locus of control beliefs
351 retired people (over 65) were interviewed and completed questionnaires (with open and closed questions) to measure depression, stressful life events and LoC.
Krause (1986). Stress and coping: Reconceptualising the role of locus of control beliefs
Participants with extreme internal LoC experiences fewer stressful life events than extreme externals. However, extreme internals and externals are both vulnerable to becoming depressed when they were stressed.
Krause (1986). Stress and coping: Reconceptualising the role of locus of control beliefs
Krause suggested having an internal LoC is a ‘mixed blessing’. Compared to externals, extreme internals are more likely to avoid stressful events, but they respond just as negatively (self-blame) to unavoidable events. So, the idea that internals are better at coping with stress than externals, is too simplistic.
