This study compared the effectiveness of covert reinforcement, overt reinforcement, and covert assertion in modifying locus of control. The I-E scale was administered to 40 subjects who were then randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups: covert reinforcement (response irrelevant) for self-statements reflecting internality, overt reinforcement for internal statements, covert assertion of internal statements, attention control, and no-treatment control. The 1-E scale was given after treatment and at a 2-wk. follow-up. Data showed that overt reinforcement and covert assertion tended to increase internality, but that response irrelevant covert reinforcement and control instructions did not.
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