This paper is a hypothetical dialogue between two influential psychologists, Jean Piaget and B. F. Skinner, on the concept of free will. The purpose of the dialogue is to critique Skinner's "Beyond Freedom and Dignity." While actual quotes are incorporated into the text from the work of both psychologists, the overall organization of the…

Results of several studies of cognitive and cultural correlates and determinants of early IE development are discussed, and some implications of the findings are pointed out. In studies of correlations between IE and intelligence test scores, results show that the scores increase regularly with age, from age 4 through 8, and there are fairly…

Alternate measures of both job structural attribute preferences and intrinsic versus extrinsic orientation to sources of job rewards were investigated with a view toward assessing instrument properties and providing direction for future improvement of such measures. Analysis indicated that different measures of intrinsic and extrinsic orientation…

The purpose of this study was two-fold: first, to determine whether children under direct patterns of teacher verbal behavior significantly differed from those under indirect patterns on internal-external (IE) locus of control; and second, to determine which of the specific teacher verbal behaviors (comprising the direct and indirect patterns)…

Presents a study designed to assess children's, pre-adolescents', and adolescents' awareness of the norm of internality and to confirm previous results that showed the importance of school in its acquisition. Concludes that children's development of internality in LOC (locus of control) should be regarded as the acquisition of a norm rather than…

Examined the help-seeking behaviors of college students needing assistance with personal problems. Using attribution theory and the learned helplessness paradigm, found that race and sex differences but not causal attribution (seeing problems as caused by internal or external factors) were related to seeking out assistance. Discusses the recurrent…

Available research suggests that personal characteristics of decision makers, influence how information is used. Results of three studies presented in this article indicate that locus of control in educational decision-making settings is related to (1) knowledge of superintendent support; (2) type of audience; and (3) context of the program.…

Presents results of a study of low-socioeconomic status grade 7 students which examined why some achieve and others do not. Focuses on which differences in self-attitudes (locus of control) and cognitive processing (field dependence) existed between the achiever and non-achiever, and whether these differences are related to achievement. (KH)

Examines the relationship among locus of control, commitment to college, and academic performance and retention of community college students enrolled in introductory baccalaureate courses. Finds locus of control, objectives, and commitment minimally related to performance, but more strongly related to retention. (Author/AYC)

There is more and more external control of classroom content and processes. This external control is being vested in legislative and administrative bodies, which are more apt to turn the school over to managerial and industrial needs. Teachers should take organized action to defend their right to control the classroom. (RM)

Examines the influence of a school volunteer program on the personal growth of volunteers, who showed a significantly higher self-concept and were more self-motivating that nonvolunteers. Also, nonvolunteers employed outside the home had higher self-esteem than those who were not. (TE)

Discusses improvement in self-concept, self-management of behavior and learning, and reduction of emotional dependence for slow learners which resulted from feelings of personal control and effectiveness when using computer-assisted instruction. Guidelines for improving instructional software and current research investigating effects of computer…

This study investigated the effects of role playing and open instruction on the self-awareness and attitudes of teachers with internal vs. external locus of control. No significant differences were found between treatment groups with regard to attitudes toward inservice education; however, significant differences were found with respect to locus…

Undergraduate subjects with either an internal or external locus of control were used to investigate the relationship between locus of control and responsiveness to expectations regarding their own and their teacher's competence. As predicted, internal subjects were more receptive to the expectation regarding self than external subjects.…

Compared performance on Piagetian tasks to determine differences between students (N=52): (1) external subjects having access to manipulatives and those not having access, and between internal subjects having access to manipulatives and those not having access. Indicates access to manipulatives benefits those exhibiting externality with respect to…