Young adults in Canada (N = 161) and South Korea (N = 165) rated either themselves or typical others at target ages 25, 45, and 65 years. In both countries, poorer memory was anticipated with each increase in age on all 3 memory belief factors: capacity, change, and locus. Both groups demonstrated a self-protective bias about age-related decline,…

High sense of control is related to benefits in many aspects of life, and education is known to be strongly related to sense of control. In this article we explore why women tend to feel a lower sense of control than men, and why the sense of control tends to be lower among the elderly than among younger people. In particular we explore the role…

Being discriminated against is an unpleasant and stressful experience, and its connection to reduced psychological well-being is well-documented. The present study hypothesized that a sense of control would serve as both mediator and moderator in the dynamics of perceived discrimination and psychological well-being. In addition, variations by age,…

Classified 305 students and 117 elderly according to Levenson's Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance scales. Additional measures were completed by 120 subjects. Results showed the elderly sample was more external. High internality and lower belief in powerful others were linked with low depression in the elderly. (JAC)

Examined Rotter's Internal-External locus of control concept in relation to life satisfaction and death anxiety in aged population (N=122). Found strong gender and locus of control effect for life satisfaction. For death anxiety, found strong gender effect and significant interaction between locus of control and age. Suggests need for life span…

We examined short-term changes in younger and older adults' control beliefs. Participants completed measures of general and memory-specific competence and locus of control on 10 bi-monthly occasions. At each occasion, participants rated their control beliefs prior to and following completion of a battery of cognitive tasks. Exposure to the set of…

Examined age differences in life satisfaction, self-concept, and locus of control in males and females between the ages of 14 and 94 years. Age main effect was significant for locus of control, age and sex main effects were significant for self-concept, and age and sex main effects and their interaction were significant for life satisfaction.…

Veterans Administration domiciliary residents in three age groups over age 50 completed measures of life satisfaction, locus of control and self-concept. Older veterans had resolved ego integrity v despair crisis more adequately than younger veterans. An institutional environment that facilitates self-esteem and satisfaction of elderly residents…

Explored sense of control and personal and spousal evaluations of major life domains. Findings from 101 men and 127 women aged 43 to 76 revealed no gender differences and minimal age differences in levels of sense of control or evaluation of life domains. Evaluations contributing to sense of control varied by gender and by age within gender group.…

Examined age differences and attributions of age differences in locus of control orientation for 60 college students and 97 older adults. Findings showed that both age groups misattributed levels of control orientation to the other group when compared to that group's self-ratings. Older adults endorsed more internal beliefs than did college…

Examined hypothesis that sociodemographic characteristics such as age, education, race, and gender would be predictive of Multidimensional Health Locus of Control subscale scores in 342 community-dwelling elderly individuals. Bivariate analysis revealed associations between black race, lower socioeconomic status, and lower education on Chance and…

Examined age differences in attributions for self-reported successes and failures in important and daily situations. Attributions and affects were collected from 61 young, 21 middle-aged, and 15 older adults. Middle-aged and older adults were more likely than young adults to attribute failure to external causes and to describe more social than…

Examined the effects of social age status and gender on perception of control of work, home, and school situations. Adults perceived the greatest control through the ability to influence powerful others. Adult females perceived greater influence than adolescent or retired females but the same as males of any age. (Author/JA)