Internal external locus of control and the choice of therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the scores subjects obtain on Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and the type of therapy they prefer. Two hundred and fifty-four students in general psychology classes were given Rotter's Scale. Considering their upper-and lower-third scores, 54 were classified as " I nternals," 53 as "Externals." Subjects also were given written descriptions of both 2 psychoanalytic and behavioristic therapies. Each of these descriptions dealt with the goal and the specific therapeutic procedure of the respective therapies. Subjects were asked to identify which therapy they preferred and to provide a rationale for their choice.A Chi-square analysis showed no significant differ- Schneider (1968) demonstrated that male college students' internal-external scores were significantly correlated with their scores on a forced-choice questionnaire which required them to indicate their preference for skill versus chance activities. Phares {1957) claimed that Internals try harder than Externals when they feel that they are responsible for their performance in a skill-oriented task. Shavit and Rabinowitz {1978) found that those with an internal orientation were able to cope with failure better than those with an external orientation. Kahle {1980) found that "internal" male college students selected a task which they were told was skill-related while "external" scorers and those scoring in the middle range on Rotter's I-E scale selected a task which they were told was chance-related. Likewise, Lyman (1983), found that there was a significant correlation between I-E score and number of choices of skilled task.Since improvements in psychoanalysis are commonly attributed to insight (a skill that can be developed) and working through deep modification of the personality {re-quiring persistency), the client tries hard to re-experience past conflicts and to bring them to a more satisfac- Counseling approaches which are more directive should be preferred by those who are externally oriented, since they are more conforming under conditions of overt influence and less likely to persist at a task since they do not feel their exertion is likely to affect the results.This study shall test the following hypothesis: Individuals with an Internal orientation or expectancy would favor Psychoanalysis, and those with an External orientation or expectancy would favor Behavioral Therapy.