Internal-external control is an important individual differences variable that was introduced in a systematic series of social learning studies by Rotter. The I-E dimension refers to the degree to which people view themselves as responsible for the occurrence or lack of occurrence of reinforcement (internals), as opposed to viewing luck, fate,…

Examined the relationship between scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Psychological Screening Inventory (PSI) and Locus of Control Scale (LOC) in 156 apprehended drunken drivers. Results showed that scores on the MAST were independent of LOC, but positively related to results on PSI scales. (LLL)

It was hypothesized that true externals and those who adopt an external locus of control as a defense differ in the amount of personal responsibility they accept for task outcomes. Defensive externals varied in their causal attributions as a function of task outcome, whereas nondefensive externals did not. (Editor/SJL)

Explored the relationship between psychological differentiation and locus of control among compulsive adolescent substance abusers (N=14) in a therapeutic community and their parents (N=27). Concluded that compulsive adolescent substance abusers are psychologically undifferentiated, and involved in a pseudo-individuated relationship with their…

Individual differences in self-attributions in a forced-compliance task and following manipulations of facial expressions were found to relate, suggesting that the self-attribution processes are similar and that variations among individuals in these processes are general across contents and inputs. (Author)

Adjustment of patients with a serious medical condition to psychological stress accompanying their disorder was investigated. Long-term hemodialysis patients (N=22) and 24 patients in recovery stages of minor medical problems were experimental and control subjects. A significant relationship was found between denial and external locus of control…

Two factor analytic studies of anxiety and locus of control produced multiple factors in groups of normal and non-normal children. Mean scores discriminated between groups and the factors that emerged differed qualitatively across groups. The multidimensionality of the constructs and qualitative differences as these constructs operated in the…

A model of persuasion suggests that individuals comply with a prediction of their behavior because they are persuaded by that prediction; a model of threat suggests that they defy prediction because of its threat of control. College students with either internal (N=20) or external (N=20) loci of control were informed of the accuracy of the…

Institutionalized emotionally disturbed boys and noninstitutionalized normal boys were administered the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children. Locus of control and separate factor scores were calculated. Helplessness factor scores, but not overall locus of control scores, differentiated the two groups. (BJG)

Compared 19 pregnant and 20 nulliparous Black teenage women on personal and family history and psychosocial adjustment. The pregnant group had lower maternal educational level, later sex education, more brothers, better family adjustment, but poorer vocational adjustment, suggesting distinct characteristics but not family or psychological…

In a sample of 559 fifth-grade students, measures were collected to assess: (1) dimensions of self-attribution for causes of academic outcomes; (2) multiple dimensions of self-concept; and (3) academic achievements. The empirically-derived dimensions of academic self-attribution replicated and extended results of previous research, but failed to…