Rotter, Internal vs external locus of control

What was the method/ sample?

A review article, with 6 pieces of research into individual perceptions of ability to control outcomes.

Locus of control

Refers to where people think that the factors that influence their behaviour are located.

What was the procedure?

Rotter devised a questionnaire containing pairs of statements, plus 6 filler statements designed to disguise the aim and to reduce demand characteristics. The questionnaire was gradually refined from 60 to 23 items by using tests of reliability and validity. As a result the IE scale was born. Rotter then did his own research and used secondary sources to correlate IE scores with behaviour.

What were the results?

Rotter found that the participants who felt that they had control over the situation were more likely to show behaviours that would enable them to cope with potential threats, than participants who thought that chance or other non-controllable forces determined the effects of their behaviours.

What was the aim of Rotter's study?

To investigate correlations between locus of control and behaviour.

External locus of control

Where people interpret the consequences of their behaviour to be controlled by luck/fate or powerful others.(other factors control their health/ others are in control of their health, e.g. doctors)

Internal locus of control

Where people think that events/patterns in their lives are due to their own behaviour and personality characteristics.(control their health themselves- will do what they think to make them healthier)