LOCUS OF CONTROL

Aim: To assess the locus of control of the subkect using Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale.

Basic Concept:

Locus of control refers to one’s assumption about responsibility for good and bad events.

Every person during his lifetime comes across some good and some bad outcomes. While he acts

to maximize the possibility of good outcomes and enjoys the success of his life, he tries to

minimize the possibility of bad outcomes. Locus of control is the extent to which you feel you

have control over events that impact your life. The concept of Locus of Control of

Reinforcement was developed by Julian B. Rotter. He was an American psychologist who

specialized in social learning theory. It is a great example of a generalized expectancy related to

problem solving, a strategy which applies to a wide variety of situations.

Internal vs External Locus of Control

An individual's "locus" (plural "loci") is conceptualized as internal (a conviction that one

can handle one's own life) or external (a conviction that life is constrained by outside factors

which the individual can't impact, or that possibility or destiny controls their lives). There is a

continuum, with most people lying in between.

Internal locus of control

When a person believes that he or she is able to act so as to maximize the possibility of

good outcomes and to minimize the possibility of bad outcomes he is said to have internal locus

of control. A high internal perceive themselves as having a great deal of personal control and

therefore is more inclined to take personal responsibility for their behavior, which they see are
being a product of their own effect. A person with an internal locus of control will attribute

whether they pass or fail the exam due to their own capabilities.

External locus of control

Those who are always at the mercy of luck, fate and unforeseen uncontrollable outside

force and feel helpless all the time and never like to take the responsibility for their bad

outcomes and miserable performances in life are said to have external locus of control.

Individuals with high external locus of control perceive their behavior as being caused more by

external forces or luck. They don't believe that they can change their situation through their own

efforts and often feel helpless or powerless in the face of difficult situations.

Experts have found that, in general, people with an internal locus of control tend to be better off.

However, it is also important to remember that internal locus of control does not always equal

"good" and external locus of control does not always equal "bad." In some contexts, having an

external locus of control can be a good thing – particularly when a situation poses a threat to self-

esteem or is genuinely outside of a person's control.

History and description

Locus of control by Sanjay Vohra (Indian Adaptation of Levenson’s

Scale). The scale consists 24 items and it is standardized on age above 16-19 years

boys and girls. This 24 - item, 5 point Scale, measures three dimensions of locus of

control viz. a) Individual Control (i.e. internal), b) Powerful Others (i.e. external) and c)
Chance Control (i.e. external). Responses to the 24 items (8 statements per scale) are

Evaluated on a 5 point Scale.

Reliability & Validity

The reliability of the test is 0.69 and validity is 0.54

Preliminaries

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Qualification:

Place of conduction: Psychology Lab

Time:

Materials Required- LOC manual, LOC questionnaire form, pen/pencil

Precautions

1. Optimal conditions for testing were ensured before the test begun
2. Time of start and finish were noted
3. The tester should ensure that the subject is not familiar with the test.
4. Subject should be told that there is no correct answer.
5. Subject should not skip any item
6. Subject should be assured of confidentiality of test results.

Rapport Formation

Rapport was established between the subject and the tester, prior to the test so that he/she could
feel comfortable and at ease. In such a state, she/he should answer the questions in a calm
manner and any doubts should be cleared before starting the test.

Instructions

The following instructions were given:

 In each item there are five answer options, there are 24 items in total
 Don’t leave any question and try to complete as soon as possible.
 There are no right or wrong answers
  Give the first natural answer as it comes to you. When in doubt, give the best possible
answer.
 Read the questions carefully and a `√` for whichever option suits you the best.
 There is no time limit for this test

Administration

After the instructions were given, the subject was asked to fill in the demographic details. The
subject was asked to check whether he/she left any items unanswered.

Introspective Report/Verbal report

The test was quite insightful and fun to do. The tester made me feel at ease.

[You can write the introspective report given by your subject]

Behavioural report

The subject was calm while answering the questions. He/she did not take a long time in
completing the test.

Interpretation

My subject got a raw score of ____ and sten score of _____ indicating _____ level in the
___________ dimension. Also, a raw score of ____ and sten score of _____ indicating _____
level in the ___________ dimension and a raw score of ____ and sten score of _____ indicating
_____ level in the ___________ dimension.

Conclusion

My subject’s scores indicate that he/she has a _______ locus of control.