The relationships among ethnicity, gender, and vulnerability factors and locus of control were investigated for gifted and nongifted children. Eight hundred five ethnically diverse, 5th- through 7th-grade children were evaluated for intellectual ability, locus of control, and the presence of vulnerability factors. A 2×2×4 ANOVA revealed significant (p < .01) main effects for Giftedness, Ethnic Background, and Vulnerability Factors and a significant Ethnic × Vulnerability Interaction (p < .038). In addition, a 2(Gender) × 2(Giftedness) × 4(Ethnic Background) ANOVA yielded a significant (p < .024) main effect for Gender. Overall, higher internal locus of control was associated with female Caucasians not at risk. Results confirm previous findings in showing a more internal locus of control in gifted children and further indicate that for gifted and intellectually bright non-Caucasians vulnerability is associated with, and may serve to strengthen, a greater internal locus of control.
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