A Oultidimensional View of Locus of Control

The paper contains a discussion of the modification of Rotter's Internal External Scale into the three scales of Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance orientations. The tripartite, multidimensional view of locus of control was developed because the validity and usefulness of Rotter's lumping expectancies of fate, chance, and powerful others together under the rubric of external control were questioned. Data are provided indicating that the refinement of the Internal External scale is justified. The three predicted orientations emerged in factor analyses, and scores on the scales were differentially related to such variables as philosophy of human nature, involvement, information, activism, psychopathology, and perceived parental upbringing. (Author) BEST COPY AVAILABLE U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO DUCE() EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFF IC IAL NATIONAL IN! T ITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY Reliability and Validity of the I, P, and C Scales--A Multidimensional View of Locus. of Control