The Locus of Control

The Locus of Control Vince Patrick R. Gochan University of San Carlos Talamban Campus

A requirement in Psyc 122Y Advanced Psychometrics Ms. Ruby Ilustrisimo March 14, 2013

The Locus of Control

Abstract

Creation of a new measuring tool meant to measure the degree of ones locus of control was made and tested on 200 students from the University of San Carlos, 136 females and 64 males, with ages ranging from 16 to 26 and having a mean age of 21. Varied courses were subject to the testing of the new tool but all were within the same university. The tool itself contained 60 items but underwent a reduction to 30 items in an attempt to increase what its item reliability may be. Cronbachs Alpha reliability analysis was done on the tool and a Cronbachs alpha of .884 was obtained. The original item roster of 60 proved to have a stronger Cronbachs alpha altogether since the new obtained Cronbachs alpha for the 30 item tool was .865, a decrease in .019. Factor analysis was done on the 30-item tool and 8 factors were extracted within it. Those new factors are assumed to be: self-determination, fatalism, circumstantial submission, grit, complacency, certainty, openness and circumstantial prejudice.

The Locus of Control

CHAPTER 1
Introduction Being human is not without its subjective individual personalities. Within these individual personalities, people are influenced differently and, in that sense, have different perspectives on events and other human beings in other words, it is what makes people unique. That uniqueness serves as the root for individualism; and, in the point of perspective and individualism, people attribute events and actions very differently. Some people may be more attuned to blaming circumstances for their misfortune as well as gratifying others or perceived deities for fortunate happenings. Though, others have a tendency to consider all their actions as something created by them, whether it is considered fortunate or misfortunate. These attributions are not what this paper will cover about; instead, it will cover the influential aspect of creating these attributions. Attribution is described as the extent to which an individual perceives and interprets events and actions. These perceived attribute systems range from external (uncontrollable and situational) and internal (dispositional), are known as Locus of Control or Loci of Control. The Locus of Control will be the main topic discussed in this paper. Strictly speaking, Rotter (1966) states that, The Locus of Control is an individuals ability to believe just how much of the world they control. Whether it be through the belief that their lives are in the hands of fate and lady luck and that all actions happening to them are by chance externally (Myers, 2006) or whether their lives are controlled solely by them and that all that has happened to them is a result of the consequences of their actions choice internally.

The Locus of Control

This paper will mainly focus on these two aspects with respect to different individuals. The idea of the locus of control is a common one for studies; therefore, this paper does not aim to expand the already vast topic of locus of control. This paper aims to properly convey three main goals or points. The first goal of this paper is to discuss attribution. More importantly and directly, the paper will have discussions on why people would create certain attributions towards others or certain events. Discussion will carry aspects such as the impact and influence of ones personality in creating attributions, whether attributions are instinctive as a social being, a social need per se, finally it seeks to uncover the implications of attributing things differently as the unique individuals that people are. Secondly, the paper wishes to discuss the locus of control itself the differences between internal and external as well as the modus operandi of each respective type of locus of control. Finally, the paper will talk about factors that may affect ones loci of control, factors such as personality traits and/or characteristics, Fritz Heider (1958) states in his theory of attribution, that attribution is how people explain the behaviour of others through , either attributing it internally dispositional (motives and attitudes) or externally situational. In Weiners theory of attribution (1974), he expands the topic on attribution by saying that people attempt to understand why people do what they do. This includes the idea that a behaviour may be caused be certain attributes as well as being related with the concept of motivation. Later on, Weiner (1992) said that causal attribution is strongly subjective in the sense that an individuals biases as well as other personal factors. Causal attributions also affect an individuals perceptions and reactions towards failures and successes. The concept of attribution affecting reactions towards failures and success was further explored by Munton, Silvester, Stratton & Hanks (1999). It was stated that attributions

The Locus of Control

that caused more positive consequences as well as having an increased success expectancy resulted in an increased willingness to approach similar tasks in the future. From the cited literatures (Munton et. al 1999, Weiner 1992, Heider 1958) it can be assumed that attribution in people is strongly subjective to their own understandings of the event being judged as well as their own biased perspectives on the person(s) being judged along with their own perspectives, environmental knowledge and motivation carry roles in the formation of the attribution itself. Some behaviour caused by attribution have tendency to be repeated or avoided depending on previous experiences and/or prior knowledge towards the attributed behaviour or object itself as well as its perceived positive or negative weighted consequences. A fine example would be: A person who attributes good grades to studying and a monetary reward from said persons parents pushes the individual to study harder for the positive achievement that comes with it. As far as Attributions go, Myers (2006) has operationally defined attribution to be one of two types. The First type being Dispositional Attribution, more commonly witnessed by most as internal attribution. This refers to describing an individuals actions directly through the individuals personal traits, characteristics and disposition. The second type of attribution is Situational attribution wherein an individuals actions are attributed to environmental factors or certain circumstances. Attribution is written mainly in the first few paragraphs of this paper as a means of introducing the locus of control as well as a preview of the modus operandi of the locus of control explaining attribution itself. Attribution was written in the initial parts of this paper in order to demonstrate how locus of control will come to explain attribution. Now that the first major goal/point has been properly given, the second goal to discuss the locus of control and

The Locus of Control

how it relates directly to attribution as well as having insights on both types of loci, internal and external. Now that we have closed off the part where we discuss attribution, let us get to the part where we start discussing the main topic, the locus of control. Myers (2006) has stated that the locus of control is defined as to what extent people perceive results as something they internally control themselves through their own hard work and perseverance or as something controlled externally by chance or rather a kind of outward force. Alternately, it is referred to as control orientation and functions as something like a filter for perception when an individual tries to perceive control over costs and rewards in communicating with others (Taylor, 2010). Differentiating between either loci is fairly simple but is never truly defined directly. As far as the concern towards inward, internal locus of control is concerned, Rotter (1966) explains that it is an individuals extent to attributing behaviour and events outcomes as by-products of his or her own capacity or lack there-off to achieving said outcome. It goes as believing the idea that one has a great deal of control over ones fate and consequences (Taylor, 2010). As Asonibare (1985) put it, it is ones perceptions of ones behaviour, including ones belief in a causal relationship in ones behaviours and the events that follow it. Moving towards the other half of the locus of control, the external loci, it can be assumed that it would be the complete opposite of what would be considered as internal. This suggests that the external locus of control is a method of attributing events and behaviours, as well as outcomes, toward the outside world. Yearning to use fate as a means of explaining why a certain event or consequence had occurred. It can be said that it is an individuals perception of a certain behaviour, event or outcome with the belief that there would be no causal relationship between the behaviour and the events that soon followed it (Asonibare, 1985). This indicates that judgment is based on the importance of

The Locus of Control

the situation at hand or the external factors that may affect the behaviour or event in question. Personifying the two loci, let us put it into a solid example through a situation: a man walking down the street is suddenly smashed by a twelve-wheeler truck and is disintegrated from the face of the world. If one were to judge it through the internal locus of control, one could say that the man had been killed due to his own carelessness. If the man bothered to look before crossing the street, he could have been saved. Alternately, if one were to judge the situation through an external locus of control, one could say that it might have been the mans time to die or that perhaps an invisible deity, a God per se, had chosen this day to claim the mans life.The Locus of control is defined by many so it may be rather confusing as to which one would be the most proper; nonetheless, they all have a similar gist and should one should not be confused as to a technical definition. Though, summarizing the gathered information, Rotter (1966) originally thought of the idea of the locus of control. Most other definitions regarding the locus of control were formulated mainly through the use of his original idea. Operationally defining the locus of control has been said in multiple studies but, again, they all carry the same idea. For this paper though, as much as possible, the main focus as far as definitions and sourcing goes, Julian Rotters works will be used for basis. From what we have read so far, we can safely say that the locus of control would be linked rather closely to attribution. Putting it into an analogy, the external locus of control would be to situational attribution as the internal locus of control would be to dispositional attribution. On the other hand, some believe the locus of control is not fully concerned with predicting outcomes and creating judgments but is instead a problem-solving generalized expectancy, addressing issues of behaviour whether theyre perceived as an instrument in order to attain a desired outcome regardless of the nature of the desired outcome (Furnham, 2010).

The Locus of Control

Now that the locus of control has been discussed and explained comprehensively, it is good to know what factors or processes affect ones locus of control. Let us ask, does ones personality influence ones locus of control? How about ones culture and ethical practices? If one were raised in the west, would ones locus of control have a significant difference compared to those raised in the east? What other factors may be able to affect ones loci affinity? Some studies done by Cohen et, al (1976), Suwarsi and Budianti (2009), Montgomery (2010) and Wood et, al. (2010) have been attempting to unnerve the idea that the locus of control does affect and change learned helplessness. Considering that the population being tested at the moment are Filipinos, let us discuss the Eastern/Asian ways of raising a person, their culture and ethics then compare it to someone from the West. From observed context, the Filipino culture is one that is collectivist and may be considered very fatalistic. This fatalism stems from the cultural trait, The bahalana attitude such a trait roughly translates to Whatever will be, will be. In relation to the Filipino culture, it is one that is very religious. These trait are so persistent in some Filipinos that if someone gets strongly ill, they may go as far as ignoring medical assistance as it is the will of God. This indicates that classic Filipino culture has an affinity for developing an external locus of control. In other collective cultures in Asia, such as Japan and China, contain having strong family ties and interdependence among friends and relatives. This shows strong encouragement and power from other people rather than from within. In contrast to collective, Asian, cultures, the west has developed a more individualistic ideology. Ideals stemming from self-reliance and independence dictate that western cultures see strength in being able to stand firmly on ones own two feet. An internal locus of control may be

The Locus of Control

more developed in these cultures and it shows why westerners are more likely to admit their own mistakes and pride themselves for their achievements. Though, in western culture, the general perception is that if one were to display external loci, one would be perceived as being weak in comparison to one with internal loci. Deciphering an individuals locus of control is considered a significant aspect when it comes to some cases like alcohol dependents (Yeh, 2008), Trauma and Loss (Mellon, 2009), learning disabilities (Goodman et, al. 2007) and Cancer patients (Bettencourt, 2008). It seems that despite cultural backgrounds, illness and disabilities tend to ignite more external loci and some, after overcoming said illnesses and/or disabilities, begin to show signs of a stronger internal locus of control. From the above articles, the locus of control, shows that regardless of an individuals background, the desire to predict an events outcome based on the individuals own actions or be it through other peoples actions or the environment itself is innate in all people. The construct seems so innate that it goes as far as affecting how some people may communicate with others or how they make decisions all through the persons perception of control over lifes events and consequences. Innate enough to even become something like a personal characteristic of individuals or, to become something like a trait per se. In context, the internal locus of control concerns itself more with traits a person desires whereas the external locus of control concerns itself with communicating and relating with other people. Individuals with an internal locus of control may approach problems with a problem-solving attitude while individuals with an affinity for the external locus of control may exhibit non-confrontational and an avoidant attitude avoidant in the sense that they may perceive that others or something greater may have more power over their lives compared to them; thus, avoiding involving themselves due to a lack of

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self-efficacy (Taylor, 2010). Skinner indicates through Learned helplessness that when people believe they have no say in a situation, they remain passive and give less effort as well as giving up more easily (Yeh, 2008). One thing that locus of control strongly correlates with is selfefficacy. Testing for these two constructs has even been argued to be practically the same thing (Judge et, al., 2002). Self-efficacy is the measuring of ones ability to be able to undertake and complete tasks and goals. Directly in correlation to the locus of control is Albert Banduras destiny idea. The destiny idea conceptualized that self-efficacy is correlated to different, perceived world views that one with higher self-efficacy feels more in control of their lives; in contrast, those with lower self-efficacy saw the events happening in their lives as something that was beyond their control. This strongly suggests that being able to discover the measure of ones self-efficacy may unearth their loci of control. In accordance to their loci of control, their personalities may attribute to one or the other. Rotter (1975) states that control internality and externality are two ends of the same thing In other words, the edge of the continuum on the locus of control. People with internal locus of control, internals, and people with external locus of control as externals. Internals, as being attuned to internal loci of control, believe the results of their actions and achievements, as well as failures, are their own doing an increased level of self-efficacy; whereas, externals, towards the outside world. Internals are linked with higher need for achievement as well as being more motivated to do a job. Externals on the other hand, believing they have no control over their fates, are more easily demotivated and prone to stress indicating low levels of self-efficacy. Having established the relation between self-efficacy and locus of control, findings done by Roddenberry et, al. (2010) showed that a factor of locus of control may be stress, whether it be physical, mental or both self-efficacy in conjunction with locus of control moderates illness

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in some cases, which in turn is affected by stress levels. This is due to both constructs being perceived as something to mediate stress. Bolliniet, al. (2004) found that individuals who have affinities for an external locus of control contracted increased level of psychological and more perceived physical ailments. Due to externals affinity towards the outside world, they may be more easily influenced by simple and trivial things and in turn become more responsive to stress. Now that everything that need be covered has been covered, let us go ahead with a small summary as well as a tight conclusion towards defining what we wish to achieve through this paper. Locus of control is the way a person attributes the events around him or herself. Internal loci is when a person or somethings disposition is attacked and external when the circumstances of the event are what the party wishes to blame. With us Filipinos, it has been known that we are truly fatalistic, as far as the traditional Filipino goes. The determination of an individuals locus of control turns significant when certain cases are taken into account when it comes to treating a person or when determining a persons personality. Certain examples of these cases are: alcohol dependents (Yeh, 2008), people with learning disabilities (Goodman et. al., 2007), cancer patients ( Bettencourt, 2008) and people who have experienced trauma and loss (Mellon, 2009). A persons loci of control may shift from one to another through those special cases and through the understanding of these special cases, we can assume that it may transcend cultural difference that the locus of control itself is subjective to the person in terms of how he or she wishes to predict the outcome of an event. Whether it be from the initiators actions or through the many environmental factors surrounding the event.

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Conceptual Framework

The diagram is one created like a hierarchy, the top being the locus of control and below that, the two main facets of the construct, internal and external loci of control. Under both internal and external loci are the main factors that may affect ones loci of control. There is emphasis on five factors towards developing either an internal or external loci of control. The five factors are: personality, attribution, culture, stress and self-efficacy. Going through the diagram, the locus of control is situated at the top because it is the main topic of the paper. The things below it, being the factors are what come next. Below the main topic of the locus of control, are the two primary factors which are internal and external. Thats because people have a tendency to generate an affinity for one or the other. If one were to be more internalized with oneself, then one may be more attuned towards the internal locus of control. If one were to be more externalized and in tune with ones environment and other people, one may develop an external locus of control.

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CHAPTER 2
Method 200 participants were gathered in the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus. They were students in varying courses throughout the university. The population measured was 64 males and 136 females with ages ranging from 16 to 26 and a mean age of M=20. The research design was done mainly through a survey. Participants were tasked to answer a 60-item questionnaire and told to kindly take their time in answering to ensure as much honesty as possible. The measuring tool in question is a newly formulated scale with strong basis on Rotters locus of control scale (1966). Question creation was strongly influenced by said scale and some questions were derived from it. The newly composed 60-item scale composed itself of 28 recoded items in SPSS. 28 of the items were meant to serve as external locus of control and the remaining 32 were questions for internal locus of control. The questionnaire uses a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 labeled as Strongly Disagree, 2 as Disagree, 3 as neither agree nor disagree, 4 as Agree and 5 as Strongly Agree. The participants were tasked to simply place a check or mark in the cell below the scales columns. Questionnaires were given to participants through snowball and convenient sampling participants were asked if they were available for answering the questionnaire and were requested to do so as soon as they became available.

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CHAPTER 3
Results The results show a standardized Cronbachs alpha of .884 derived from a reliability analysis of the 60-item test questionnaire. On the other hand, basing from the 30-item questionnaire weeded out to try and get a higher Cronbachs alpha, the Cronbachs alpha reduced to .865. This was taken from deleting the top 30 items from the item-total statistics under the column Cronbachs alpha if item deleted. Unfortunately, the top 30 items began to drop below the .884 mark and began to reduce the Cronbachs alpha instead. Items that would have increased Cronbachs alpha if deleted were item 34 (from .884 to .887), item 57 (from .884 to .891) and item 59 (from .884 to .885). All other items would decrease the Cronbachs Alpha. Table 1 exhibits the Cronbach analysis for both the 60-item test and the 30-item test. Table 1. Reliability coefficients of the 60-item test and the 30-item test
Cronbachs Alpha .884 .865 Cronbachs Alpha Based on Standardized items .887 .864 N of items 60 30

Table 2. Reliability coefficients of internal locus of control (27 items) and external locus of control (33 items) domains.
Internal Locus of Control External Locus of Control Cronbachs Alpha .852 .855 Cronbachs Alpha based on Standardized Items .867 .853

Table 2 shows that the Cronbachs alpha for both domains are practically alike. The figures that do not stray too far off, with the difference in Cronbachs alpha between domains being only a measly .003. This further is further shown back in table 1 with the Cronbachs alpha

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of the 60-item test being high. Such is a product of both domains being almost identical and high. With so much written about the 60-item test, it would only be fair to display all 60 items here. The following 60 items are what make up the test. Items number 1, 5. 6. 7, 8, 9, 13, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 37, 39, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 55, 56 and 57 are items that make up the External locus of control domain of the test. All other numbers, (items number 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 58, 59 and 60) are the items that make up the other domain, Internal locus of control. The following 27 statements are what comprise of the External locus of control domain. At the end of every statement, their original number in the test will be indicated. 1. Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. (1) 2. Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. (5) 3. Sometimes, I think the only way to get a proper decision is through a coin flip (6) 4. I believe in ghosts. (7) 5. I hide my faults. (8) 6. I have bad days. (9) 7. I do not try something if I am unsure of it. (13) 8. Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time (17) 9. I believe in chance rather than choice. (20) 10. I believe in destiny (22) 11. I think that taking a gamble can bring fruitful results. (23)

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12. I never know how other people perceive me to be. (24) 13. I usually go with the advice of other people. (27) 14. I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. (30) 15. I believe that some people will not like me no matter how hard I try to please them. (31) 16. I only prepare for things I think are going to happen. (32) 17. I sometimes feel that I dont have enough control over where my life is headed. (34) 18. I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. (37) 19. My fate was sealed at birth. (39) 20. I would rather go with the flow than create a well laid-out plan. (42) 21. If something is meant to happen, it will. (44) 22. I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. (46) 23. The main reason for my stress is the mistakes of other people. (48) 24. I am the way I am because of the people around me. (50) 25. I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people. (55) 26. Some peoples worth is just too unrecognizable no matter how hard they try. (56) 27. I tend to blame environmental factors whenever I do something wrong. (57) For the next domain, the following 33 statements are what comprise of the Internal Locus of control domain. At the end of every statement, their original number in the test will be given. 1. The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. (2) 2. The consequences of my actions are my responsibility (3) 3. When I get something done right, it is not because of luck. (4) 4. I openly accept my mistakes. (10)

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5. I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. (11) 6. I strive to get what I want in life. (12) 7. I earn peoples respect. (14) 8. I do not believe in superstitious beliefs (15) 9. If I want something done right, I do it myself. (16) 10. I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. (18) 11. Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. (19) 12. Good things happen to me because of good luck. (21) 13. If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. (25) 14. I think that being prepared for anything and everything helps. (26) 15. I admit my mistakes (28) 16. When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. (29) 17. I think disappointments may stem from the outcomes of my actions. (33) 18. If I put enough effort, things can change for the better. (35) 19. I believe there is some good in everyone. (36) 20. I think that doing the right thing is a matter of choice (38) 21. My own advice is all I need (40) 22. Destiny if a load of trash. (41) 23. I believe that there is always a choice (43) 24. I get disappointed due to mistakes Ive done (45) 25. No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. (47) 26. Life is a set of opportunities to grab (49)

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27. It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. (51) 28. I am who I am due to the decisions Ive made myself and not due to lifes circumstances. (52) 29. People tend to be lonely because they fail to reach out to other people. (53) 30. What happens to me is due to my own actions (54) 31. I think that people who cant get others to tolerate or like them just dont understand social protocol. (58) 32. People are responsible for electing officials who turn out to be corrupt. (59) 33. I believe in the quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. (60) Table 3. Items of External Locus of Control (27) amd Internal Locus of Control (33 items) dimensions with corresponding Cronbach Alpha is item deleted.
Corrected Item-Total Correlation .351 .370 .270 .307 .296 .496 .394 .456 .354 .436 .313 .372 .316 .452 .337 .345 -.012 .429 .235 .322 .475 .390 Cronbach Alpha if item deleted .881 .881 .883 .882 .882 .879 .881 .880 .881 .880 .882 .881 .882 .880 .882 .882 .887 .880 .883 .882 .880 .881 Corrected Item-Total Correlation .317 .173 .360 .320 .376 .341 .360 .333 .314 .406 .392 .218 .385 .268 .330 .380 .211 -.012 .356 .308 .232 .321 Cronbach Alpha if item deleted .882 .883 .881 .882 .881 .882 .882 .882 .882 .881 .881 .883 .881 .883 .882 .881 .882 .887 .882 .882 .883 .882

EX 01 EX 05 EX 06 EX 07 EX 08 EX 09 EX 13 EX 17 EX 20 EX 22 EX 23 EX 24 EX 27 EX 30 EX 31 EX 32 EX 34 EX 37 EX 39 EX 42 EX 44 EX 46

IL 02 IL 03 IL 04 IL 10 IL 11 IL 12 IL 14 IL 15 IL 16 IL 18 IL 19 IL 21 IL 25 IL 26 IL 28 IL 29 IL 33 IL 34 IL 35 IL 36 IL 38 IL 40

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To be Continued EX 48 EX 50 EX 55 EX 56 EX 57

19

.246 .391 .397 .405 .548

.883 .881 .881 .881 .891

IL 41 IL 43 IL 45 IL 47 IL 49 IL 51 IL 52 IL 53 IL 54 IL 58 IL 59 IL 60

.430 .318 .203 .386 .256 .391 .324 .334 .376 .545 .357 .530

.880 .882 .883 .881 .883 .880 .882 .882 .881 .883 .885 .881

EX = Item on External Locus of Control; IL = Item on Internal Locus of Control The following External Locus of Control items were deleted due to their low inter-item correlation values and high cronbach alpha it item deleted values: EX 6 (=.883), EX 7 (=.882), EX 8 (=.882), EX 23 (=.882), EX 27 (=.882), EX 31 (=.882), EX 32 (=.882), EX 34 (=.887), EX 39 (=.883),EX 42 (=.882), EX 48 (=.883), EX 56 (=.881), EX 57 (=.891). The following Internal Locus of Control items were deleted as well for the same reasons: IL 3 (=.882), IL 14 (=.882), IL 15 (=.882), IL 16 (=.882), IL 21 (=.883), IL 26 (=.883), IL 27 (=.882), IL 28 (=.882), IL 33 (=.882), IL 40 (=.882), IL 43 (=.882), IL 45 (=.883), IL 49 (=.883), IL 52 (=.882), IL 53 (=.882), IL 58 (=.883) and IL 59 (=.885). They were chosen as a means to minimize the anticipated drop in Cronbachs alpha reliability. Returning to table 1, the Cronbach dropped from .884 to .865 after the items were dropped. As shown in table 4, the standard deviation of the chosen items were chosen due to them having the lowest deviation from the mean. In table 4, it is shown that all items are ranged as 4 due to the fact that the highest possible attainable value is 5 and the lowest attainable value is 1. Going in between those extremes, a range of 4 is obtained.

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Table 4. Univariate analysis for the 30-item scale

Std. Range 1.) Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. 2.) The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. 4.) When I get something done right, it is not because of luck. 5.) Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. 9.) I have bad days 10.) I openly accept my mistakes. 11.) I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. 12.) I strive to get what I want in life. 13.) I do not try something if I am unsure of it. 17.) Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time. 18.) I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. 19.) Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. 20.) I believe in chance rather than choice 22.) I believe in destiny. 24.) I never know how other people perceive me to be. 25.) If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. 29.) When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. 30.) I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. 35.) If I put in enough effort, things can change for the better. 36.) I believe there is some good in everyone. 37.) I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. 41.) Destiny is a load of trash. 44.) If something is meant to happen, it will. 46.) I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. 47.) No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. 50.) I am the way I am because of the people around me. 51.) It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. 54.) What happens to me is due to my own actions. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Mean 3.7350 4.1050 4.0550 3.2350 1.9300 3.9600 3.9200 4.2600 2.9750 2.6150 4.4150 4.2600 3.6650 2.8350 2.8300 3.9200 3.6150 2.6350 4.3200 4.3550 2.9900 2.5450 2.2150 2.8950 2.9500 2.7300 3.1850 4.1200 Deviation 1.19663 .91001 1.00849 1.25204 1.18834 1.04107 1.09984 .83419 1.22141 1.22650 .76531 .89240 1.08103 1.31010 1.25658 1.04838 1.06887 1.27669 .84330 .85594 1.27595 1.22289 1.26760 1.23759 1.35895 1.26296 1.24035 .90537 Variance 1.432 .828 1.017 1.568 1.412 1.084 1.210 .696 1.492 1.504 .586 .796 1.169 1.716 1.579 1.099 1.142 1.630 .711 .733 1.628 1.495 1.607 1.532 1.847 1.595 1.538 .820

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To be Continued 55.) I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people 60.) I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. 4.00 2.6850 1.29000

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1.664

3.00

4.5550

.65507

.429

Thus; the final 30 item scale is composed of 16 items from the Internal Locus of Control and 14 items from the External Locus of Control domain. The following items statements are what comprise the final test. Right next to the statement will be their original number in the original 60-item test. The final 14 items of the external locus of control domain are as follows: 1. Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. (1) 2. Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. (5) 3. I have bad days. (9) 4. I do not try something if I am unsure of it. (13) 5. Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time (17) 6. I believe in chance rather than choice. (20) 7. I believe in destiny (22) 8. I never know how other people perceive me to be. (24) 9. I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. (30) 10. I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. (37) 11. If something is meant to happen, it will. (44) 12. I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. (46) 13. I am the way I am because of the people around me. (50)

The Locus of Control

22

14. I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people. (55) The final 15 items of the internal locus of control domain are as follows: 1. The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. (2) 2. When I get something done right, it is not because of luck. (4) 3. I openly accept my mistakes. (10) 4. I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. (11) 5. I strive to get what I want in life. (12) 6. I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. (18) 7. Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. (19) 8. If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. (25) 9. When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. (29) 10. If I put enough effort, things can change for the better. (35) 11. I believe there is some good in everyone. (36) 12. Destiny if a load of trash. (41) 13. No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. (47) 14. It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. (51) 15. What happens to me is due to my own actions (54) 16. I believe in the quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. (60)

The Locus of Control

23

After obtaining all the data needed to create the 30-item scale, a factor analysis was conducted in order to try and obtain factors that may have been measured by the two domains in the construct. After the analysis was obtained, it was discovered that 8 factors were hiding within the test. The factor analysis data is shown in table 5. In the 8 factors, the following data has been deduced: Factor 1 correlates with items number 1, 18, 29 and 35 and strongly correlates with items 11, 12, 19 and 54. Factor 2 correlates with items 9, 17, 25, 30, 44, 51 and strongly correlates with item 22. Factor 3 correlates moderately with items 9, 29, 37 and 44 and strongly correlates with items 24 and 55. Factor 4 moderately correlates with items 2 and 18 and strongly correlates with items 25, 35 and 36.factor 5, has moderate correlations with item numbers 2, 17, 20,30, 47 and strongly correlates with items 5 and 46. Factor 6 moderately correlates with items 2, 13, 17, 19, 20 and 55 and strongly correlates with item 1. Factor 7 moderately correlated with items 4, 13, 36 and 47 and strongly correlated with item 10. Finally, factor 8 correlates with item 47 and strongly correlates with item 60. Table 5. Factor analysis

Component 1 1.) Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. 2.) The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. 4.) When I get something done right, it is not because of luck. 5.) Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. 9.) I have bad days .327 .542 .310 2 3 4 5 6 .708 -.372 7 8

.587

.604 .314 .538

The Locus of Control

To be Continued 10.) I openly accept my mistakes. 11.) I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. 12.) I strive to get what I want in life. 13.) I do not try something if I am unsure of it. 17.) Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time. 18.) I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. 19.) Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. 20.) I believe in chance rather than choice 22.) I believe in destiny. 23.) I think that taking a gamble can bring fruitful results. 24.) I never know how other people perceive me to be. 25.) If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. 29.) When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. 30.) I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. 35.) If I put in enough effort, things can change for the better. 36.) I believe there is some good in everyone. 37.) I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. To be continued

24

.641 .696 .727 .354 .397 .410 .486

.583

.348

.685

.462 .308 .627

.329 .492

.709

.302

.714

.467

.588

.457

.377

.367

.671 .722 .572 .343

The Locus of Control

41.) Destiny is a load of trash. 44.) If something is meant to happen, it will. 46.) I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. 47.) No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. 50.) I am the way I am because of the people around me. 51.) It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. 54.) What happens to me is due to my own actions. 55.) I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people 60.) I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are.

25

.854 .582 .404

.676

.389

.441

.479

.563

.637

.645

.300

.739

Note: Factor loadings < .299 are suppressed. Rotation converged in 32 iterations.

The Locus of Control

26

CHAPTER 4
Discussion Based on the results, the newly crafted scale to measure the degree of an individuals locus of control of both internal and external loci is moderately reliable. Indicated by a strong .884 Cronbachs alpha in its initial 60-item test while still maintaining a fairly moderate .865 after the items were deleted for the 30-item test the measuring tool seem s to be reliable. The reliability may be attributed to the participants being from the same population. Most people selected for testing also sent the test to friends and the friends of those friends and so on. Being friends, they may have conformed to each others answers thus the increased reliability. Another factor may be memory, some participants may have answered an item and recalled their answers when confronted with a similar item. The items removed from the 60-item test ranged mostly from variables 40 to 59. This may indicate that participants began to show fatigue upon answering questions in that variable range and began to answer randomly. After the removal of 30 items, the Cronbachs Alpha was reduced to .865 from .884. This is most likely due to the every items reliability being naturally well-off in the original testing and removing them could have ruined the reliability overall. It is possible that most items may have been very close to the scale mean, reducing the number of items meant reducing the mean and in turn, reducing the Cronbachs Alpha as well. Comparing the inter-item correlation between the 60-item test (table 3) and the 30-item test (table 4), it shows that the original .116 correlation had increased to .174. This indicates that

The Locus of Control

27

the 30-item test has a considerably higher inter-item correlation compared to the 60-item test. Though the Cronbachs Alpha has reduced, the correlation of each item did increase. Delving more into their variance, it shows that there isnt much inter-item correlation variance in either test despite the drop in reliability. The 60-item test yielded an inter-item correlation variance of .018 and the 30-item test yielded an inter-item correlation variance of .017. The 60-item test gained a very slightly higher variance compared to the 30-item test, this consistently goes with the notion that the variance and correlation are indirectly proportional. Strangely, even with the increase in correlation, the 60-item test still contains a higher reliability. The 60-item questionnaire has comparably higher reliability than the final 30-item questionnaire. Despite the drop in its Cronbachs Alpha, the drop is fairly low and thus shows that the newly crafted measuring tool has relatively high consistency to which it can give an accurate score across a range of measurement. With both tests, participants were able to consistently answer scores. The tool, having an inter-rater reliability, meant that different people answering the test would still give consistent results. Additionally, the new measuring tool has construct validity, indicating that the tools use is specifically meant to measure the theoretical backgrounds cited in the review of related literature. The scores imply that researchers wishing to replicate measuring the same construct (the locus of control) can viably use this tool. Future researchers may even add filler questions that still direct it towards the locus of control. As the tool was meant to measure the degree of ones locus of control, whether internal or external, it is not meant to measure anything else. Constructs such as dispositions, attribution, self-efficacy, etc, cannot be measure by this measuring tool. Future researchers may even rephrase some of the items in the tool to better record a desired

The Locus of Control

28

focus in the locus of control. Items in the measuring tool are comfortably suited to match the respondents desired responses which in turn cleanly suit the construct. Moving on towards the factor analysis in table 5, it shows that 8 factors were extracted from the test. The first factor (factor 1) moderately correlates with items 1, 18, 29 and 35 and strongly correlates with items 11, 12, 19 and 54. This factor may be self-determination. This is due to the fact that the items this factor has correlated with are based strongly on personal effort. Some sample items it has correlated with state, Being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck, (Item 11), I strive to get what I want, (Item 12) and Getting what I want is a matter of dedication not luck, (Item 19). Returning to our main construct, self-determination may play a role in ones degree of locus of control, considering that one with a determined attitude will be likely to attribute events and situations internally and may want to take control into ones own hands in order to efficiently show ones worth. The second factor, factor 2, may be indicative of fatalism. The items that factor 2 strongly correlate with have things to do with ones fate and luck. The items it correlates moderately with are items 9, 17, 25, 30, 44 and 51 and it strongly correlates with items 22 and 41. Items within this factor range show much to do with fate, items such as item 22 say, I believe in destiny and item 37, I believe we are victims of forces we cannot control nor can we control. Returning to our literature, fatalism in itself is something indicative of one with an external locus of control. The third factor, factor 3, correlates moderately with items 9, 29, 37 and 44 and strongly correlates with items 24 and 55. Samples of this factor include: If something is meant to happen, it will, (item 44) When I make plans, I make sure I can make them push through, (item 29). Give the sample items, the factor may be something more along the lines of

The Locus of Control

29

Circumstantial submissiveness. In a sense, the factor tries to indicate that the circumstances of certain events or individuals dictates ones submission to said circumstances. This returns to locus of controls external facet as well as relating to the previous factor, fatalism. The fourth factor, factor 4, is concerned more on needs of achievement. In a sense, it may be referred to as being hardworking; but, for now, we will call the fourth construct as grit or ones passion for achieving a goal. Factor 4 moderately correlates with items 2 and 18 and strongly correlates with items 25, 35 and 36. Sample questions for this factor include: item 25, If I failed at pursuing something, I assume I did not put enough effort into it, and item, 35 If I put enough effort, things can change for the better. Grit would be something similar to selfdetermination but grit focuses more on trying to achieve something to create a change. This returns to locus of control in a way similar to self-determination in the sense that grit may attribute itself towards being more individualistic in goal achievement; thus, showing a relation towards internal locus of control. The fifth factor, factor 5, has moderate correlations with item numbers 2, 17, 20,30, 47 and strongly correlates with items 5 and 46. Factor 5 may be something along the lines of complacency. Complacency is described as self-satisfaction given the circumstances or facts. Examples of items that give this factor its roots are ones like item 46, I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I or anybody can do about it. And item 30, I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. Complacency may relate back to the locus of control in ways that people with external locus of control would theoretically exemplify this quality within them.

The Locus of Control

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The sixth factor, factor 6, may be along the lines of certainty certainty in the sense that the items that correlate with this factor have items asking things such as choosing or ensuring an outcome. Some examples include, item 13, I do not try something if I am unsure of it, and item 55, I feel like I am constantly being judged. Taking item 55 into consideration, factor 6 may be social certainty. This factor may embody the idea that some people wish to be socially desirable and this only assure themselves of choices that would make them appeal much better socially. Factor 6 moderately correlates with items 2, 13, 17, 19, 20 and 55 and strongly correlates with item 1. The seventh factor, factor 7, would be classified as something similar to openness. Items that correlate well with this factor include questions that have something to do with either accepting something within oneself or in others. Some items, such as item 10 state, I openly accept my mistakes, and item 36, I believe there is some good in everyone, evidently show that this factor may relate in some way to how open one would be. Taking this back to the locus of control, ones openness may affect how one attributes his achievements and mistakes as well as other people. This again jumps back to the correlation between attribution and the locus of control, considering that it stems from attribution. Factor 7 moderately correlated with items 4, 13, 36 and 47 and strongly correlated with item 10. The final factor, factor 8, is something we will note as circumstantial prejudice. It correlates only with 2 items, being moderately correlated to item 47 and being strongly correlated to item 60. These two items have basis on the a targets disposition. Item 47 states, No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable, and item 60 states, I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant it is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. Both items carry strong ideas on judging who

The Locus of Control

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one is and whether those ideas persist. This again relates to the locus of control due to its attribution based nature. Whether one were to attribute who one may become to ones birth or to the unlikable nature of another, it is still based on attribution which then directly correlates towards the locus of control. One limitation of this tool is that it has been limited to students only from the University of San Carlos. The result is simply plausible and cannot be generalized for another population. These students also cannot generalize the population of the school simply because they share the common ground which is the school they are studying in. With only 200 participants with an age range of 16 to 26 and a mean age of 20, other age ranges may show different results. Future research may improve on the scale considering the limitations stated above. Using other scales regarding the same construct may supplement this scale and may increase reliability.

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References: Asonibare, J.B.(1985), "Superstitions, Locus of control and the Nigerian child", Nigerian journal of guidance and counselling,1 (1&2), 24-33

Bettencourt, B. A., Talley, A., Molix, L., Schlegel, R. & Westgate, S. (2008). Rural and urban breast cancer patients: health locus of control and psychological adjustment. PsychoOncology, (17) 932939).

Bollini, A. M.; Walker, E. F.; Hamann, S; Kestler, L. (2004) "The influence of perceived control and locus of control on the cortisol and subjective responses to stress".Journal of Biological Psychology, 67 (3): 245-260.

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Cohen, S., Rothbart, M. & Philips, S. (1976). Locus of control and the generality of learned helplessness in humans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34 (6), 10491056 Furnham, A. (2010). A parental locus of control scale.Individual Differences Research.8 (3), 151-163.

Goodman et, al. (2007). Mental health of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Britain.The British Journal of Psychiatry, 19, 493-491

Heider, F. (1958). The psychology of interpersonal relations

Judge, Timothy A.; Erez, Amir; Bono, Joyce E.; Thoresen, Carl J. (1 January 2002). "Are measures of self-esteem, neuroticism, locus of control, and generalized self-efficacy indicators of a common core construct?". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 83 (3): 693710.

Mellon, R., Papanikolau, V. &Prodromitis, G. (2009). Locus of control and psychopathology in relation to levels of trauma and loss: self-reports of Peloponnesian wildfire survivors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22 (3), 189-196. Munton, A.G., Silvester, J., Stratton, P. & Hanks, H. (1999) Attributions in Action: a practical approach to coding qualitative data. Chichester, Wiley

Myers, D. (2006). Psychology in modules

Nadal, K. L. (2010) (Ed.). Filipino American psychology: A Collection of personal narratives. Bloomington, IN: Author House Publishing.

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Roddenberry, A.; Renk, K. (NaN undefined NaN). (2010). "Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy: Potential Mediators of Stress, Illness, and Utilization of Health Services in College Students". Child Psychiatry & Human Development 41 (4): 353370.

Rotter, J. B. (1975). Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of reinforcement. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 56-67. Suwarsi, S. &Budianti, N. (2009). Influence of locus of control and job involvement to organizational culture applied by employees on bank x. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 60. Taylor, M. (nd). (2010). Does locus of control predict young adult conflict strategies with superiors? An examination of control orientation and the organizational communication conflict instrument. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 444-456. Weiner, B. (1992). Human Motivation: Metaphors, Theories, and Research. Sage Publications. ISBN 0-7619-0491-3

W e i n e r , B . ( n d ) . A t t r i b u t i o n t h e o r y. R e t r i e v e d f r o m http://tip.psychology.org/weiner.html

Wood, A., Saylor, C. & Cohen, J. (2006). Locus of control and academic success among ethnically diverse baccalaureate nursing students. Nursing Education Research.289-294.

Yeh, M. (2008).Measurning readiness to change and locus of control belief among male alcohol-dependent patients in Taiwan: comparison of the different degrees of alcohol dependence. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 62, 533-539

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Appandix A Univariate analysis for the 60-item questionnaire

Std. Range 1.) Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. 2.) The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. 3.) The consequences of my actions are my responsibility. 4.) When I get something done right, it is not because of luck. 5.) Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. 6.) Sometimes, I think the only way to get a proper decision is through a coin flip. 7.) I believe in ghosts. 8.) I hide my faults. 9.) I have bad days 10.) I openly accept my mistakes. 11.) I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. 12.) I strive to get what I want in life. 13.) I do not try something if I am unsure of it. 14.) I earn peoples respect. 15.) I do not believe in superstitious beliefs. 16.) If I want something done right, I do it myself. 17.) Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time. 18.) I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. 19.) Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. 20.) I believe in chance rather than choice 21.) Good things happen to me because of good luck. 22.) I believe in destiny. 23.) I think that taking a gamble can bring fruitful results. 24.) I never know how other people perceive me to be. 25.) If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. 26.) I think that being prepared for anything and everything helps. 27.) I usually go with the advice of other people. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Mean 3.7350 4.1050 4.4300 4.0550 3.2350 3.9550 2.9850 3.2500 1.9300 3.9600 3.9200 4.2600 2.9750 4.0550 3.1850 4.0850 2.6150 4.4150 4.2600 3.6650 2.5400 2.8350 3.2300 2.8300 3.9200 4.4800 2.8800 Deviation 1.19663 .91001 .79893 1.00849 1.25204 1.22494 1.34679 1.18088 1.18834 1.04107 1.09984 .83419 1.22141 .79696 1.30741 .87843 1.22650 .76531 .89240 1.08103 1.21067 1.31010 1.29828 1.25658 1.04838 .72264 1.18856 Variance 1.432 .828 .638 1.017 1.568 1.500 1.814 1.394 1.412 1.084 1.210 .696 1.492 .635 1.709 .772 1.504 .586 .796 1.169 1.466 1.716 1.686 1.579 1.099 .522 1.413

The Locus of Control

To be continued 28.) I admit my mistakes. 29.) When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. 30.) I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. 31.) I believe that some people will not like me no matter how hard I try to please them. 32.) I only prepare for things I think are going to happen. 33.) I think disappointment may stem from the outcomes of my actions. 34.) I sometimes feel that I dont have enough control over where my life is headed. 35.) If I put in enough effort, things can change for the better. 36.) I believe there is some good in everyone. 37.) I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. 38.) I think that doing the right thing is a matter of choice. 39.) My fate was sealed at birth. 40.) My own advice is all I need. 41.) Destiny is a load of trash. 42.) I would rather go with the flow than create a well laid out plan. 43.) I believe there is always a choice 44.) If something is meant to happen, it will. 45.) I get disappointed due to mistakes Ive done. 46.) I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. 47.) No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. 48.) The main reasons for my stress is the mistakes of other people. 49.) Life is a set of opportunities to grab. 50.) I am the way I am because of the people around me. 51.) It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. 52.) I am who I am due to the decisions Ive made myself and not due to lifes circumstances. 53.) People tend to be lonely because they fail to reach out to other people. 54.) What happens to me is due to my own actions. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.0250 3.6150 2.6350 2.7200 3.0450 3.9300 3.4900 4.3200 4.3550 2.9900 4.3700 4.0300 2.3800 2.5450 3.2750 4.3800 2.2150 4.1250 2.8950 2.9500 3.7000 4.4550 2.7300 3.1850 .87073 1.06887 1.27669 1.42187 1.28891 .91063 1.31091 .84330 .85594 1.27595 .91503 1.10235 1.28603 1.22289 1.23978 .75395 1.26760 .89070 1.23759 1.35895 1.19041 .76872 1.26296 1.24035

36

.758 1.142 1.630 2.022 1.661 .829 1.718 .711 .733 1.628 .837 1.215 1.654 1.495 1.537 .568 1.607 .793 1.532 1.847 1.417 .591 1.595 1.538

4.00

3.9100

.98323

.967

4.00 4.00

3.9050 4.1200

1.05429 .90537

1.112 .820

The Locus of Control

To be continued 55.) I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people 56.) Some peoples worth is just too unrecognizable no matter how hard they try. 57.) I tend to blame environmental factors whenever I do something wrong. 58.) I think that people who cant get others to tolerate or like them just dont understand social protocol. 59.) People are responsible for electing officials who turn out to be corrupt. 60.) I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. 4.00 4.00 2.6850 3.0850 1.29000 1.33291

37

1.664 1.777

4.00

2.5600

1.18041

1.393

4.00

3.3200

1.19782

1.435

4.00

4.0250

1.11381

1.241

3.00

4.5550

.65507

.429

The Locus of Control

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Appendix B (60 Item Questionnaire) Greetings and salutations! My name is Vince Patrick R. Gochan., a Psychology major taking up his 3rd year in the University of San Carlos. At the moment, I am creating an instrument that hopes to measure certain personality traits. It would be lovely if I may ask to have at least 5 to 10 minutes of your time to thoroughly answer this 60-item questionnaire. Please take note that all your answers and your identity will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for this study. If you would like to know the results as well as if you may have any other questions regarding the questionnaire, you may contact me through the following: (Sun) 0922 822 9866 (Smart) 0918 962 2628 nahcogecniv@yahoo.com

If you wish to participate in this study and opt to answer the questionnaire, please sign below and fill out as much as you can. Please answer it as honestly and as properly as possible. *If at any time you feel uncomfortable answering the survey, please feel free to stop anytime; but, please return the test questionnaire for record. Instructions: Please place a check mark on the cell of the answer of your choice. Name [optional]: _____________________________ Age: _____ Gender: M / F ___________________ Signature Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 1.) Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. 2.) The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. 3.) The consequences of my actions are my responsibility. 4.) When I get something done right, it is not because of luck.

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Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 5.) Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. 6.) Sometimes, I think the only way to get a proper decision is through a coin flip. 7.) I believe in ghosts. 8.) I hide my faults. 9.) I have bad days 10.) I openly accept my mistakes. 11.) I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. 12.) I strive to get what I want in life. 13.) I do not try something if I am unsure of it. 14.) I earn peoples respect. 15.) I do not believe in superstitious beliefs. 16.) If I want something done right, I do it myself. 17.) Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time. 18.) I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. 19.) Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. 20.) I believe in chance rather than choice 21.) Good things happen to me because of good luck. 22.) I believe in destiny. 23.) I think that taking a gamble can bring fruitful results. 24.) I never know how other people perceive me to be. 25.) If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. 26.) I think that being prepared for anything and everything helps.

The Locus of Control

40

Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 27.) I usually go with the advice of other people. 28.) I admit my mistakes. 29.) When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. 30.) I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. 31.) I believe that some people will not like me no matter how hard I try to please them. 32.) I only prepare for things I think are going to happen. 33.) I think disappointment may stem from the outcomes of my actions. 34.) I sometimes feel that I dont have enough control over where my life is headed. 35.) If I put in enough effort, things can change for the better. 36.) I believe there is some good in everyone. 37.) I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. 38.) I think that doing the right thing is a matter of choice. 39.) My fate was sealed at birth. 40.) My own advice is all I need. 41.) Destiny is a load of trash. 42.) I would rather go with the flow than create a well laid out plan. 43.) I believe there is always a choice 44.) If something is meant to happen, it will. 45.) I get disappointed due to mistakes Ive done. 46.) I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it.

The Locus of Control

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Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 47.) No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. 48.) The main reasons for my stress is the mistakes of other people. 49.) Life is a set of opportunities to grab. 50.) I am the way I am because of the people around me. 51.) It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. 52.) I am who I am due to the decisions Ive made myself and not due to lifes circumstances. 53.) People tend to be lonely because they fail to reach out to other people. 54.) What happens to me is due to my own actions. 55.) I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people 56.) Some peoples worth is just too unrecognizable no matter how hard they try. 57.) I tend to blame environmental factors whenever I do something wrong. 58.) I think that people who cant get others to tolerate or like them just dont understand social protocol. 59.) People are responsible for electing officials who turn out to be corrupt. 60.) I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. Items recoded: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 37, 39, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 55, 56, 57 Items deleted from the 60-item questionnaire: 3, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45, 48, 49, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59

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Appendix C (30-Item Questionnaire) Greetings and salutations! My name is Vince Patrick R. Gochan., a Psychology major taking up his 3rd year in the University of San Carlos. At the moment, I am creating an instrument that hopes to measure certain personality traits. It would be lovely if I may ask to have at least 5 to 10 minutes of your time to thoroughly answer this 30-item questionnaire. Please take note that all your answers and your identity will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for this study. If you would like to know the results as well as if you may have any other questions regarding the questionnaire, you may contact me through the following: (Sun) 0922 822 9866 (Smart) 0918 962 2628 nahcogecniv@yahoo.com

If you wish to participate in this study and opt to answer the questionnaire, please sign below and fill out as much as you can. Please answer it as honestly and as properly as possible. *If at any time you feel uncomfortable answering the survey, please feel free to stop anytime; but, please return the test questionnaire for record. Instructions: Please place a check mark on the cell of the answer of your choice. Name [optional]: _____________________________ Age: _____ Gender: M / F

___________________ Signature Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 1.) Bad things happen to me due to bad luck. 2.) The effort I give in doing something dictates how well I do. 4.) When I get something done right, it is not because of luck.

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Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 5.) Achievements are hardly recognizable even through hard work. 9.) I have bad days 10.) I openly accept my mistakes. 11.) I think being successful in its own right has nothing to do with luck. 12.) I strive to get what I want in life. 13.) I do not try something if I am unsure of it. 17.) Getting chosen for something (i.e: A job) means being at the right place at the right time. 18.) I believe there is a direct connection to how hard I work and the results of my efforts. 19.) Getting what I want is a matter of personal skill and dedication not luck. 20.) I believe in chance rather than choice 22.) I believe in destiny. 23.) I think that taking a gamble can bring fruitful results. 24.) I never know how other people perceive me to be. 25.) If I failed at pursuing something, I assume that I did not put enough effort into it. 29.) When I make plans, Im sure I can make it push through. 30.) I feel like my life is a string of random events put together. 35.) If I put in enough effort, things can change for the better. 36.) I believe there is some good in everyone. 37.) I believe that we are victims of forces we cannot understand nor can we control. 41.) Destiny is a load of trash. 44.) If something is meant to happen, it will.

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Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly Disagree agree nor Agree disagree 46.) I think that once somebody gets elected into something, there is little I, or anybody, can do about it. 47.) No matter how hard some people try, they are just purely unlikable. 50.) I am the way I am because of the people around me. 51.) It is hard for me to believe that luck carries a significant role in the events that happen in my life. 54.) What happens to me is due to my own actions. 55.) I feel like Im constantly being judged by other people 60.) I believe in the following quote: The circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are.