The construct validity of two dimensions of the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale was investigated. Subjects (102 females and 63 males) completed measures of state and trait depression, a political activity inventory, and the locus of control scale. While the sociopolitical cluster of items showed evidence of construct validity, the personal cluster was not construct-validated. The need was stressed for further investigation of the validity of dimensions of locus of control.
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