Locus of control as a mediator of adaptive behaviour in children and adolescents.

Abstract

This review summarizes and evaluates the extensive literature on locus of control and adaptive behaviour in children and adolescents. Included are descriptions of the various measures of locus of control for younger samples, their reliability, validity, and their association to race, socioeconomic status, and age. Although the majority of the research reviewed is correlational in nature, there does appear to be substantial support for the notion that children and adolescents who hold internal beliefs function in a more positive, efficacious, and adaptive manner in both achievement and non-achievement activities and situations than do their external counterparts. Research on the antecedents and modification of locus of control beliefs suggests that awareness of behaviour-reinforcement contingencies is the critical factor in the development or change of such beliefs. It is suggested that future research provide appropriate controls for the possible confounding influence of verbal ability and socioeconomic status, and also consider the contribution of other Social Learning Theory variables in examining locus of control relationships. RESUME Resume et evaluation de la litterature abondante sur la localisation du controle et le comportement adaptatif chez des enfants et des adolescents. Sont aussi discutes les diverses mesures de la localisation du controle chez les plus jeunes, la fidelite de ces mesures, leur validite, leur rapport avec I'ethnie, le niveau socioeconomique et I'age. Meme si la plus grande partie des travaux examines sont de nature correlationnelle, ces travaux semblent confirmer substantiellement I'idee que les enfants et les adolescents ayant des croyances internes, compares aux autres, ont un fonctionnement plus positif, plus efficace et mieux adapte. La recherche portant sur les antecedents et sur la modification des croyonces sur Jo localisation du controle suggere que la connaissance des contingences comportementrenforcement est le facteur crucial dans le developpement ou la modification de ces croyances. Les recherches a venir devraient s'attacher a controler efficacement la confusion possiblement causee par les aptitudes verbales et le niveau socioeconomique et devraient egalement tenir compte, dans I'examen des relations en jeu dans la localisation du controle, du role joue par d'autres variables mentionnees dans la theorie de I'apprentissage social. y by* SavT fSS. their own actions or characteristics. At the &S3&& h " SSr-SnS $^^^&S3&& °ther ? xtreme are "externals" who perceive Requests for reprints should be sent to Timothy M. the reinforcements they receive as a func-

Dieting control beliefs and disordered eating

“…The previously reported ®nding that parental behaviour is an important antecedent of locus of control orientation (Gilmore, 1978) might well merit further attention within the domain of weight locus of control. Families of anorexic individuals are usually accused of being controlling and overprotective (Minuchin et al, 1978) and this is implicated in external beliefs for locus of control measures (Levensen, 1973;Scheck, 1978).…”

Cross-Cultural Research With the Locus of Control Construct

“…Many psychological variables have been proposed to account for this difference in academic achievement (e.g., intelligence, achievement motivation, cognitive style, test anxiety). Unfortunately, the effect of IQ was not controlled in many of the early studies (Entwisle & Greenberger, 1972;Gilmor, 1978). In their massive study, Coleman et al (1966) showed perceived control to be the best single predictor of academic achievement for US Black high school students even when family background and school environment were controlled.…”

On a Pedestal: effects of intellectual‐giftedness and some implications for programme planning

“…Based on their review of the literature, Janos and Robinson (1985) define psychosocial adjustment loosely as: one's ability to operate effectively within and constructively beyond the structures imposed by the environment, to respond zestfully to challenge, and to maintain a high degree of relatedness, vitality, and personal satisfaction, (p. 156) In fact, psychosocial adjustment is primarily a multi-dimensional construct. Specifically, various studies suggest that a reasonably high level of self-esteem (Brownfair, 1952;Taylor & Coombs, 1952), acceptance by peers (Brode, 1980) and high internal locus of control (Gilmour, 1978;Lefcourt, 1982), that is, a strong sense of control over one's life, may be important components of psychosocial adjustment, especially for adolescents. In addition, evidence of alienation and anxiety may be symptoms of difficulties in psychosocial adjustment.…”