The Rotter Study 1966

Question 1

What was the aim of Rotter (1966) study?

Answer 1

To investigate whether internal or external locus of control was more significant in behavioural change.

Question 2

What did the procedure of the Rotter study involve?

Answer 2

1. Involved reviewing several research papers.
2. Looking at different behaviours
3. Using the I-E scale to measure locus of control.

Question 3

Who developed the I-E scale?

Answer 3

Rotter

Question 4

What happens in the I-E scale?

Answer 4

1. Participants are presented with pairs of statement. One represents external locus of control, the other is internal.
2. They pick which statement they identify with the most.
3. The score indicates a position on a scale between extremes of internal and external.

Question 5

What were the 3 findings in the Rotter (1966) study for people with an internal locus of control?

Answer 5

1. Less likely to take risks when gambling.
2. Less likely to smoke.
3. Less likely to conform.

Question 6

What was the finding of people with an external locus of control?

Answer 6

1. They are risk takers.
2. More prone to cognitive biases.

Question 7

What was the conclusion of Rotter (1966) study?

Answer 7

1. Locus of control was a good predictor of a range of behaviours.
2. Rotters findings support the assumption that locus of control affects health behaviour.

Question 8

What are the 2 strengths of the Rotter (1966) study?

Answer 8

1. The study has high applicability to real life as a range of behaviours were used in the method.
2. Using the I-E scale gave quantitative data, which is easy to analyse.

Question 9

What is one weakness of the Rotter (1966) study?

Answer 9

The method used secondary sources, so there might be issues with reliability.