A Comparison of Locus of control and General English Achievement in Students of Medicine and Theology

Abstract

Locus of control refers to individuals’ orientation to attribute their successes and failures. Its effect on students’ academic achievement has scarcely been investigated within General English context. This study is aimed at exploring the difference in General English (GE) achievement between students of Medicine and Theology. It also examines the effect of locus of control (LOC) on GE achievement in these two groups of university students. University students’ General English scores serve as criteria for General English achievement. Fifty students of Medicine and fifty students of Theology participated in this study. The results of the study indicate that: (1) there is a significantly positive association between university students’ LOC and their GE achievement, (2) there is a significant difference in GE achievement between students of Medicine and Theology, and (3) there is a significant difference in LOC orientation between these two groups of university students. The results of the interviews conducted with the participants were also in line with those of the questionnaires. The findings of this study suggest that developing internal control orientation can be very constructive in getting better grades in GE courses.