Perceptual Style,Locus of Control and Personality Variables Among East Indians and Blacks in Trinidad

Abstract

25 black males, 25 East Indian males, 25 black females and 25 East Indian females from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad, were given the Rod-and- frame Test (RFT), the Rotter Internal-External Control Scale (I-E Control Scale), and Edwards' Personal Preference Schedule to ascertain the relationship between these variables, as well as mean differences for males and females of two different subcultures who share the same geographical environment and political entity. Significant sex differences were obtained for the I-E Control Scale scores and for the Edwards' needs of achievement, deference, succorance, dominance and nurtu rance. Ethnic group differences were obtained for the RFT and Edwards' need of order. Interactions of sex and ethnic group were obtained for exhibition, endurance and aggression. No significant correlation was obtained for any group between the RFT and I-E Control Scale. Significant correlations between RFT and Edwards' needs and between I-E Control Scale and Edwards' needs were obtained. The data are interpreted in terms of the child-rearing practices and cultural values of each group.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perceptual style, locus of control and personality variables for males and females of two different subcultures who share an over-all culture in a common geographical environment, but differ in reported child-rearing practices and related values and goals.

Witkin et al. (20,21) have investigated the relationship between perceptual style and a variety of appropriately related personality patterns. Perceptually field-depen dent individuals were found to be relatively passive, anxious, lacking in self-confi dence, having little insight and yielding easily to impulsive feelings. Related characteristics were a readiness to conform and a predisposition to have others impose order or structure on situations that were not fully under their control. In contrast, those who were perceptually field-independent seemed to express impulses directly, were active participants in social activities and manifested a level of self-awareness. Witkin concluded that field-independent individuals handled feelings of frustration in a productive and compensatory manner; self-assurance and leadership were generally characteristic of their behaviour.

Elliott (7) concluded that perceptual field-dependency was the result of parental influences, particularly those associated with overprotection and inconsistency in reinforcing behaviour. These findings are supported by further research (5,8) that correlates arbitrary, rigid, authoritarian parents and field-dependent children. When parents were flexible and reasonable, permitting the child some measure of self- determination, the child would be perceptually field-independent.

These studies stimulated further research on the effects of ecology and culture on individual development (2), as well as the influence of the geographical environ ment (4). These investigations showed relationships between an individual's method of organising his perceptual world and the environment he grew up in. They restrict ed themselves, however, to comparing groups living in disparate cultures and geographical areas who had no contact or communication with one another. The question still remains whether the same obtained relationships would be true of representative individuals identified with distinct subcultural values, who had personal contact with each other, communicated in the same language, and lived within a similar overall culture and geographical environment.

That there are other aspects of functioning within one's personal environment which many reflect early formative experiences was suggested by Rotter (17). Sub sequent research demonstrated that an expectancy for internal, as opposed to external, control of reinforcemennt is related to learning and performance in diverse situations. Investigation of the origins of internal-external control orientations (3, 10, 12, 19) concluded that child-rearing practices shaped belief in either internal or external sources as influences in control over one's own fate. These inclinations were also reflected in a variety of corresponding personality traits. MacDonald (14) summarized these conclusions as follows : 1. Internally controlled subjects had parents whom they believed to be supporting (nurturant), and consistent (predict able) and who encouraged children to control their own reinforcements (a measure considered as achievement pressure). Among males, paternal physical punishment was related to internal orientation; 2. externally controlled subjects described their parents as using techniques of overprotection, deprivation of privileges and affective punishment.

In view of these investigations it is hypothesized that this study will reveal some relationship between self-reported personality characteristics and both perceptual style as well as locus of control. Furthermore, the findings should vary with sub cultural values and practices.

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