Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between motorists' Locus of Control orientation and their behavioral intentions with respect to the conservation of gasoline. Motorists (104 males and 108 females) were approached at one of six Baltimore gasoline stations and asked to complete the Rotter I-E scale and a questionnaire on gasoline conservation. Hypothesis I predicted that internal subjects would be more likely than external subjects to state willingness to reduce their amount of driving. It was also predicted (Hypothesis II) that internal subjects would be more willing to use alternative modes of transportation. Last, Hypothesis III predicted that internal subjects would perceive various industrial and governmental measures for alleviating the gasoline shortage as more effective than would external subjects. Data supported Hypotheses I and III. Some of the findings for Hypothesis II were in the opposite direction, with external subjects indicating more car pooling and bus riding than internal subjects. Explanations were offered.
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