Children from a Catholic elementary school were interviewed to determine what they saw as probable causes for success or failure in four situations: a school testing situation an art project, playing football, and catching frogs. Causal explanations were found to differ across the four situations. (Author/GDC)

A research study examined whether the locus of control orientation of high school and junior high school students could be modified through the incorporation of prescribed activities within the routine of the regular classroom. (JN)

Learned helplessness is a state of passivity and loss of persistence resulting from individuals' perceptions, over a period of time, that they cannot control outcomes of events nor can their efforts lead to attainment of goals. Research studies are reviewed and implications for the study of learning disabilities are evaluated. (MH)

Two experiments using undergraduates confirmed the hypothesis that external statements in the Rotter Internal External Locus of Control Scale are more depressing in tone than internal statements. Thus, depressed subjects may respond to external items due to item mood level rather than locus of control. (Author/JKS)

Investigates sex differences in independence-training practices as a function of locus of control orientation. Subjects were 60 twelve-year-old children. (CM)

Children in grades 1, 3, and 6 were asked to make judgments of their personal identity after three hypothetical transformations: self-other, personal continuity-past, and personal continuity-future. Repsonses were rated on an internal/external dimension. (Author/SS)

Investigates the psychometric properties of the Preschool and Primary Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale (PPNS-IE). The test was administered to first, second and third graders. (CM)

Laboratory and a field studies contrasted the egotism and expectancy-covariance approaches to attribution for achievement outcomes. Subjects' expectations and the basis of these expectations were varied and outcomes were then manipulated. Results supported egotism, suggesting that motivational factors can determine attributions to ability and task…

Assessed the effectiveness of an established two-credit course in personal-career decision making. Results indicate that experimental participants altered their locus of control toward internality; that they were considerably more articulate than controls in describing career concepts; and that they had taken more action toward resolving their…

Of the 486 single women aged 13-20 who were tested, the subjects with high self-esteem had positive attitudes toward using birth control pills, were less embarrassed about obtaining contraception, and were more effective and consistent contraceptive users. (RL)

Examines the effects of resume writing and professional goal-setting on locus of control scores of business college women. Findings indicate it is possible to affect locus of control orientation of college women preparing to enter the labor market by integrating contingency orientation and goal-setting strategies into a resume writing program.…

The present article posited that the degree of specific constraint imposed by an environment mediates the relationship between locus of control and adjustive behaviors and attitudes. The findings are considered along with previous research that affirmed the moderating influence of the situation on locus of control and adjustment. (Author)

The goal of this study in exploring the relationship between internal-external control and black political activism was to analyze how the belief systems of activists and non-activists differs, in order to develop some tentative ideas about how more activist-orientations can be developed among black people. Eighty-one black undergraduate students…

Students in an experimental and a control high school were compared in the fall and spring on their locus of control scores. An Open Campus policy was instituted in the experimental school. The experimentals increased significantly more than controls in internal control. (Author)

A learning-management program, the Self-Schedule System, significantly affected children's perception of self-responsibility for their school learning as well as their rate of task completion. (RC)