Differences were assessed between two types of student populations in terms of Collins' four-dimensional locus of control. 44 students at a 4-yr. college were compared to 58 college-enrolled inmates at a state penitentiary. Subjects were administered a test based on Collins' analysis of the Rotter I-E scale. Data showed the prisoners to be more externally oriented on the dimension of political responsiveness vs unresponsiveness; no significant differences were found regarding difficult vs easy world, just vs unjust world, or predictable vs unpredictable world comparisons. Suggestions were made for further research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BhagatR. S.ChassieM. B.The role of self-esteem and locus of control in the differential prediction of performance, program satisfaction, and life satisfaction in an educational organization. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1978, 13, 317–326.
2.
CollinsB. E.Four components of the Rotter internal-external scale: belief in a difficult world, a just world, a predictable world, and a politically responsive world. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1974, 29, 381–391.
3.
GilmoreT. M.ReidD. W.Locus of control, prediction, and performance on university examinations. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 565–566.
4.
HuitemaB.Analysis of covariance and alternatives. New York: Wiley, 1980.
5.
IngerS. L.The relationship of perceived locus of control to recidivism rates among inmates of three correctional institutions. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1977, 37(11-B), 5880.
6.
KendallP. C.MosesJ. A.FinchA. J.Impulsivity and persistence in adult inpatient “impulse” offenders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1980, 36, 363–365.
7.
ProciukT. J.BreenL. J.Internal-external locus of control and information-seeking in a college academic situation. Journal of Social Psychology, 1977, 101, 309–310.
8.
ReedR. P.Group psychotherapy effects of internal-external locus of control. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1975, 36(6-B), 3065.
9.
RotterJ. B.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 1966, 80, No. 1 (Whole No. 609).
10.
RussellG. M.JorgensonD. O.Religious group membership, locus of control, and dogmatism. Psychological Reports, 1978, 42, 1099–1102.
11.
SantogrossiD. A.RobertsM. C.Student variables related to rates of pacing in self-paced instruction. Teaching of Psychology, 1978, 5, 30–33.
12.
VadaA. J.The relationship of locus of control to manipulative attitudes and behavior of imprisoned sociopaths. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1977, 38(6-B), 2892.
13.
ZieglerR. R.A study of the relationship between different therapy treatments and mean scores obtained on the I-E scale and IPAT 8 Parallel Form Anxiety Battery for newly incarcerated inmates at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1975, 36(2-A), 722.
