LS11 - Locus Of Control Flashcards
Who Proposed LOC?
Julian Rotter (1966)
What Is LOC?
It refers to a person’s perception of the degree of personal control they have over their behaviour.
High External LOC
See their future and their actions as resulting largely from factors outside their control.
High Internal LOC
Feel a stronger sense of control over their lives than mans with external focus. They also look for information more as they rely less on others, they are more likely to resist pressure and show resistance to social influence.
Why Do Mans With Low LOC Resist Social Pressure?
Because they take responsibility for their actions and experience and are therefore more likely to base their decisions on their own beliefs and therefore resist pressures from others, they’re also more self-confident, higher intelligence and have less need for social approval.
Research Support
Oliner & Oliner (1988) interviewed 2 groups of non-jewish people that lived through the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. They compared 406 ppl who protected and rescued Jews to 126 ppl who hadn’t. They found that the 406 had scores demonstrating high internal LOC, implying mans with an internal LOC would rather act than let shit go to fate.
Refuting Evidence (-)
Twenge (2004) analysed data from American obedience studies over 40 years (1960-2002) and found people have become more resistant to obedience but also more external, challenging the link between internal LOC and resistant behaviour, it’s also possible that the results are due to a changing society where many things are out of personal control.
LOC Exaggerated In Resisting Social Influence (-)
Rotter (1982) points out that LOC comes into play in unexpected situations but not in familiar situations where our previous experiences will be more important, which is often overlooked in discussions of LOC and resistance. It means that even if an individual does have a high internal LOC but have conformed or obeyed uncertain situations are still likely to do so again!
LOC Is Related To NSI Not ISI (-)
Spector (1983) measured LOC and having NSI and ISI in 157 undergraduate students and found a significant positive correlation between people with high external locus of control and NSI. However with ISI, LOC did not seem to be a significant factor.
LOC Strengths
Research Support
LOC Weaknesses
LOC Related To NSI Not ISI
LOC Exaggerated In Resisting Social Influence
Refuting Evidence
