Economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty among a sample of 285 adult Australians. A principal components analysis revealed both measures to be multidimensional, which supports earlier work (Feather, 1974; Furnham, 1986; Weiner, 1974). As predicted, results revealed negative individualistic or behavioural explanations of poverty to be associated with internal locus of control beliefs and denial of poverty, while societal or structural explanations of poverty were significantly associated with chance locus of control, and significantly negatively associated with denial of poverty. Some demographic correlates of these explanations were noted and the results are discussed with reference to previous attribution research.