Sex-Role Attitude as a Moderator in the Relationship between Locus of Control and N Achievement

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between locus of control and n Achievement as moderated by Bem and Watson's (1976) recently reconceptualized measures of “masculinity,” “femininity,” and “androgyny.” The Bem (1974) Sex-role Inventory, Rotter (1966) Internal-External (I-E) Locus of Control Scale, and Mehrabian (1969) n Achievement Scale were administered to 130 male and 81 female university students. n Achievement and I-E scores were significantly and negatively correlated (r = —.54, df = 32, p < .02) for androgynous females, indicating a tendency for n Achievement to increase as feelings of external control decrease. All other relationships were non-reliable. These findings were interpreted with regard to related empirical and theoretical issues in the literature.

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