Author Question: Briefly describe the structure and function of the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale ... (Read 125 times)

j.rubin · **on:** Jun 21, 2018

Briefly describe the structure and function of the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale developed by Rotter.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Julian Rotter defined the concept of locus of control. Define this concept and describe the difference between the two types that he identified.

What will be an ideal response?

Eazy416 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: The function of the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale is to assign a score to an individual indicating the extent to which she or he responds in a manner theoretically consistent with either an external or an internal locus of control. Subjects are asked to respond, in a forced-choice format, to 29 pairs of statements. Each pair includes one internal locus of control statement and one external locus of control statement. Scores can range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating a grater external locus of control.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Rotter defined locus of control as beliefs about the control or reinforcements and outcomes in an individuals life. The basic dimension he described is the extent to which people feel they are in control of what happens to them. Some people have a core belief that the events of their lives have natural causes and can be directed, to some degree, by their own behavior. People who feel and behave this way, in general, were defined as having an internal locus of control, and are sometimes called internals. On the other hand, there are people who feel that, for the most part, events happen and they have little or no control over what life sends. Reinforcements, outcomes, etc., are due to fate, luck, chance, and powerful others, and are quite unpredictable and almost impossible to influence. These people are described as externals since they have an external locus of control.