Abstract
Children and teachers were observed during free-play periods in a two-phase study examining the relationships among children’s locus of control tendencies, children’s behaviors, and teacher-child interactions. The Stephens-Delys Reinforcement Contingency Interview was administered to 51 children between 3 and 5 years of age. Eight children (four boys and four girls) with the highest and eight children with the lowest locus of control scores were observed interacting with peers, materials, and teachers. There were no significant relationships between children’s behaviors and locus of control measures. Teacher behaviors in response to the behaviors of the same 16 children also were observed. Teachers reinforced task and peer involvement in internal children and nontask involvement in external children.
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