Internal versus external locus of control: an analysis of music populations.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between locus of control and chosen field of music specialization. The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale was designed to assess the construct of locus of control and reinforcement, which is defined as the perception of a connection between one's action and its consequences; the version of the scale used in this study was specifically developed and validated for use with college-aged students by Nowicki (2000). This scale was administered to four separate college-aged groups: music therapy majors, music education majors, applied music majors, and nonmusic majors who also had previous music background and were currently enrolled in a formal college music performance organization. Results indicated that there were indeed, differences among these populations with music therapy majors evidencing a significantly lower internal locus of control. Music education majors and nonmajors evidenced a greater internal level and were not significantly different from each other, yet both were significantly different from the music therapy majors. Music performance majors were also significantly lower in internal control compared to the music education and nonmusic majors, but they were not significantly different from the music therapy majors. This entire line of research has a long history and seems advisable to continue with all music populations, especially potential music therapists in order to investigate those aspects of self-perception that may help or hinder therapeutic effectiveness.