Levenson's Locus Research Articles

Examination of individual antecedents of entrepreneurial tendency

Bu çalışmada girişimcilik ve girişim oluşturma sürecini daha iyi anlamak için çevresel ve bilişsel faktörlere odaklanılmıştır. Kontrol odağı, girişimci öz yeterlilik, girişimcilik eğilimi, öznel norm ve belirsizlikten kaçınma arasındaki ilişkiler açıklanmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu araştırma Sakarya Üniversitesi, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi ve Aydın Adnan Menderes Üniversitesinde İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi ve İşletme Fakültesinde girişimcilik dersi alan ve girişimcilik planı olan 200 öğrenci üzerine yapılmıştır. Veri toplama aracı olarak Levenson Kontrol Odağı ölçeği, Girişimci öz yeterlilik ölçeği, belirsizlikten kaçınma ve öznem norm ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Kullanılan başlıca analizler ise betimleyici istatistikler, geçerlilik ve güvenilirlik analizleri, korelasyon ve regresyon analizi ve diğer istatistiki analizlerdir. Bireylerin öz yeterlilik inancı, kontrol odak durumu, belirsizlikten kaçınma algısı ve öznel norm algısı öğrencilerin girişimciliğe eğilimini bilişsel açıdan etkilemesi söz konusudur. Bu doğrultuda korelasyon analizi sonucu belirsizlikten kaçınma değişkeni diğer değişkenlerle anlamı ve pozitif ilişki gösterirken, öznel norm sadece kariyer eğilimi ve girişimci öz yeterlilik ile anlamlı ve pozitif ilişki, Girişimci (kariyer) eğilimi ise kontrol odağı ve girişimci öz yeterlilik değişkenlerinde anlamlı ve pozitif ilişki göstermiştir. Regresyon analizinde ise girişimcilik eğilimi üzerinde girişimci öz yeterliliğin pozitif yönde ve düşük bir etkisi olduğu saptanmıştır.

Locus of control, knowledge, attitude and practice for contraception among adolescents.

to assess the relation of the locus of control with the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). this is a cross-sectional study with 1,192 high school students. Data were collected using the KAP questionnaire and the Levenson locus of control scale and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Women presented higher Externality Powerful Others locus of control than man (p=0.0015) and adolescents over 17, higher Externality Chance locus of control (p=<0.0001). Students who used contraceptive methods at the first contraceptive method had higher Externality Powerful Others (p=0.0107) and those who used coitus interruptus, had higher Externality Chance (p=0.0013). Internality was inversely proportional to the practice in relation to the dimensions of the locus of control. The dimensions of the locus of control were related to some contraceptive practices, but little or no relation to knowledge and attitude.

Measuring Psychological Change and Predicting Recidivism Following the Swedish One-to-One Program.

The One-to-One program aims to reduce criminal recidivism among prisoners shortly awaiting release, and among probationers. Of 1,484 program participants in Sweden, 776 contained adequate data for analysis. Pre- and post-program scores were available for the Alternative Thinking Test, Levenson's Locus of Control Scale, Skill Survey, Citizen Scale, and Problem Checklist, all areas addressed in the program. This study examined predictive properties of test scores and background characteristics regarding recidivism, as well as differences between sub-groups. All post-tests indicated pro-social changes. Older participants were more likely to complete the program. The most potent predictor for non-recidivism was program completion, with non-completers 64% more likely to re-offend. Significant associations occurred between recidivism and the tests measuring skill improvement over time, chance locus of control pre- and post-program, and attitudes and values (Citizen Scale), partly supporting the theory behind the program.

A Study of Magnitude and Psychological Correlates of Smartphone Use in Medical Students: A Pilot Study with A Novel Telemetric Approach.

Context:Smartphone use is being investigated as a potential behavioral addiction. Most of the studies opt for a subjective questionnaire-based method. This study evaluates the psychological correlates of excessive smartphone use. It uses a telemetric approach to quantitatively and objectively measure participants' smartphone use.Methodology:One hundred forty consenting undergraduate and postgraduate students using an Android smartphone at a tertiary care teaching hospital were recruited by serial sampling. They were pre-tested with the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, Big five inventory, Levenson's Locus of Control Scale, Ego Resiliency Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Materialism Values Scale. Participants' smartphones were installed with tracker apps, which kept track of total smartphone usage and time spent on individual apps, number of lock–unlock cycles, and total screen time. Data from tracker apps were recorded after 7 days.Results:About 36 % of participants fulfilled smartphone addiction criteria. Smartphone Addiction Scale score significantly predicted time spent on a smartphone in the 7-day period (β = 0.234, t = 2.086, P = 0.039). Predictors for time spent on social networking sites were ego resiliency (β = 0.256, t = 2.278, P = 0.008), conscientiousness (β = −0.220, t = −2.307, P = 0.023), neuroticism (β = −0.196, t = −2.037, P = 0.044), and openness (β = −0.225, t = −2.349, P = 0.020). Time spent gaming was predicted by success domain of materialism (β =0.265, t = 2.723, P = 0.007) and shopping by ego resiliency and happiness domain of materialism.Conclusions:Telemetric approach is a sound, objective method for evaluating smartphone use. Psychological factors predict overall smartphone usage as well as usage of individual apps. Smartphone Addiction Scale scores correlate with and predict overall smartphone usage.

The Relationship between Self-Actualization, Locus of Control and Openness to Experience

The present study was undertaken to measure the relationship between openness, locus of control and self-actualization among young adult students. In addition, this study also tried to give an indication of whether perceived achievement in either parent had any effect on a person's self-actualization. The sample consisted of professional postgraduate students between the age group o f 20 to 31 years (n = 108). Jones' and Crandall's Self Actualization Index was used to measure self-actualization, Levenson's Locus of Control scale was used to measure Locus of Control while NEO-Five Factor Inventory was used to measure openness. Product moment co-relation showed a negative co-relation between Openness and Locus of Control and a positive co-relation between self-actualization and Locus of control. Independent-Samples t-test was conducted to measure significance of difference on self-actualization between those who rated their mother's and father's as either high or low achievers. No significant difference was found between perceived parental level of achievement and self-actualization.

Validation of an Adaptation of Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale With Adult Male Incarcerated Sexual Offenders

This article examines the psychometric properties of an adaptation of Levenson's Locus of Control (LoC) measure that is used by the English and Welsh Prison Service as part of the psychometric assessment battery for sexual offenders participating in the Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP). Reliability and validity analyses were conducted on a sample of 2,497 sexual offenders who had completed SOTP. Internal consistency, convergent validity, and relationship to socially desirable responding were investigated. Construct validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Test-retest reliability data were collected from an additional sample of 26 sexual offenders. The scale was found to have excellent internal consistency, good test-retest reliability, and weak to moderate convergent validity with measures of self-esteem, attachment styles, emotional loneliness, and social problem solving. There was a moderate correlation between the scale and socially desirable responding. EFA and CFA suggested that a four-factor solution provided an acceptable fit to the data, with the factors relating to constructs of chance, problem solving, powerful others, and internal control. The findings of the present study suggest that the adapted LoC Scale is a useful tool for assessing sexual offenders' locus of control.

P01-281 - Relationship between family communication patterns with locus of control, self esteem, shyness and communication skills in adolescents

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigation the relationship between the dimensions of Family communication patterns (conversation orientation and conformity orientation) with adolescents’ locus of control, self esteem, Shyness and communication patterns.MethodThe participant in this study includes 367 students (232 girls and 135 boys) of first and second graders in high school in the first region of Tehran, that were chosen by available sampling method and filled the Revised family communication patterns questionnaire (RFCP), Levenson locus of control scale (IPC), Rosenberg self esteem questionnaire, shyness questionnaire of Cheeck and Buss and communication skills questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to predict each of the criterion variables by Dimensions of family communication patterns.ResultThe regression analysis result revealed that the Family conversation orientation has a positive and significant relationship with internal locus of control, high self esteem and communication skills and predicts them positively. Also Family conformity orientation has a positive and significant relationship with external locus of control and shyness and predicts them positively. And has a significant negative relationship with self esteem and predicts it negatively.ConclusionThe finding of present research show that the families with conversation orientation, who have the free, comfortable and rich relationships as a need of joyful family life, lead to the formation of internal locus of control, higher self esteem, less shyness and more communication patterns in children in comparison with the families with conformity orientation.

Locus of control and contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among university students

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between locus of control and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pill and condom use among university students. METHODS: The inquiry was developed in Campinas, a city in Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. A total of 295 adolescent newcomers to a public university answered a structured questionnaire and Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale. The scores of the dimensions of locus of control were calculated and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess their correlation with knowledge and practice concerning pill and condom use. In order to assess the relationship between the dimensions of locus of control and sociodemographic variables and variables related to the individuals' sex life, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used. RESULTS: Male adolescents had higher scores of powerful others externality when compared to female adolescents (p=0.01). Students living alone had lower internality (p=0.01). When locus of control was compared to condom use in the first intercourse, considering only the 102 students who informed the age of the beginning of sexual activity, greater internality was found among male adolescents who did not use condoms (p&lt;0.05). When the locus of control scores were correlated with contraceptive knowledge and practice, it was found that the higher the powerful others externality locus, the lower the adequate use of contraceptive methods (r = -0.22, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The powerful others externality locus influences the practice of contraceptive use in this group of adolescents.

The structure of the Levenson locus of control scale in young adults: Comparing item and parcel indicator models

Research on item parcels suggests that previous reliance on item-level indicators may have resulted in the poor model fit often obtained for the original three-factor structure of the Levenson locus of control scale. The present research tested two- and three-factor models with items and two forms of parcels serving as indicators. In addition, the models were tested in the prediction of attitudes toward computers and depressive experiences. Results found that a two-factor structure with item-to-construct balanced parcels provided the best model fit. However, regression analyses indicated that a three-factor conceptualization resulted in the most informative prediction of computer attitudes and depression.

Do court‐ and self‐referred domestic violence offenders share the same characteristics? A preliminary comparison of motivation to change, locus of control and anger

Objectives. The purpose of this research was to assess whether court‐ and self‐referred domestic violence offenders differ on levels of motivation to change, personal control and anger, and hence whether these two offender groups are distinct.Method. Thirty‐eight court‐referred and 14 self‐referred male domestic violence offenders completed three scales: URICA‐DV, Levenson Locus of Control and Novaco Anger Scale.Results. It was found that self‐referred men exhibited significantly higher levels of motivation to change, internal locus of control and anger in response to anger‐provoking situations than did court‐referred men.Conclusions. The results indicate that there may be fundamental differences between these two offender groups and question the suitability of combining these groups in offender treatment. Results are discussed in the context of treatment efficacy and outcome.

Premenstrual symptomatology, locus of control, anxiety and depression in women with normal menstrual cycles.

The present study was designed to investigate the relationships between premenstrual symptomatology, locus of control, anxiety, and depression in women with normal menstrual cycles. Sixty-nine female participants completed a survey, comprised of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ; Moos, 1968), Levenson's (1981) locus of control scales, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995), and a questionnaire constructed by the researchers based on the DSM-IV criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Both overall and specific subtypes of premenstrual symptomatology were found to correlate with external locus of control, anxiety, and depression. In addition, locus of control was found to moderate the relationship between premenstrual symptomatology, anxiety and depression. Finally, women who were in the premenstrual phase when completing the questionnaire scored significantly lower on the internal scale than those in either the follicular or early luteal phases. It was concluded that an external locus of control may be associated with a susceptibility to depression or anxiety when certain premenstrual or postmenstrual changes are experienced.

Does guilt proneness predict acute and long-term distress in relatives of patients with schizophrenia?

The aim of the study was to improve our understanding of guilt proneness as predictor of acute and long-term stress responses in relatives of acutely admitted patients. Forty-nine relatives in close contact with 36 patients suffering from schizophrenia DSM-III-R, completed Hostility Guilt (HG) and Guilt Conscience (GC) scales (Revised Mosher Guilt Inventory), and Levenson's Locus of Control Scale (LOC) at the patient's admission to hospital, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) at the patient's admission and at 9 months after discharge. Acute distress (GHQ) was positively related to HG, but not when controlling for LOC. GC was positively associated with acute and long-term distress, GHQ-depression and coping-failure, and long-term GHQ-anxiety. When controlling for LOC, GC was still positively related to long-term distress. HG, GC and LOC explained 32% variance of GHQ at 9 months. GC seems to be an important predictor of long-term distress in relatives.

Cognitive progress associated with gambling behaviour.

Gambling behaviours can be pathological if positive response is extreme, but very little is known about the psychological precursors of pathological gambling in Australia. This study examined the relationships between self-reported gambling behaviours and scores on locus of control measures. The sample of 80 male and 75 female undergraduate students completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen and Levenson's multidimensional Locus of Control Scale. No significant association was found for the self-reported gambling behaviours with scores on the Internal scale but a positive one obtained between scores on the Powerful Others subscale. Self-reported gambling behaviours differed significantly for men reported that they gambled more than women. For these Australian undergraduates an additional question on borrowing money increased the apparent frequency of pathological gambling. Thus an avenue for further research is the development of a valid and reliable measure of gambling behaviours in an Australian sample.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ROCK CLIMBERS: STATE AND TRAIT ATTRIBUTES1072

This study was undertaken to quantify state and trait attributes among rock climbers by skill level and gender. Psychological attributes of 57 rock climbers (mean age 28.5±7 yrs; 35 males, 22 females) were assessed during the winter of 1996. A battery of psychometric inventories included the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), the Sports Attitude Inventory (SAI), Levenson's Locus of Control (IPC), and the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). Climbers were grouped according to their perceived skill/climbing ability [moderate: 5.6-5.9 (n=28), advanced: 5.10a-5.14d (n=29)], and gender. Wilks-Lambda criterion indicated no significant skill effects across state (F8,46=.2926; p=.97) or trait (F8,46=.3437; p=.94) attributes, although there was a tendency for advanced competitors to exhibit higher tension (7.8±1.2 vs 7.1±1.0), depression (6.2±1.2 vs 5.8±1.0), anger(6.9±1.0 vs 5.9±0.9), confusion (2.8±1.3 vs 2.2±1.1), and total mood disturbance (8.0±4.9 vs 5.2±4.3) than moderately skilled climbers. No significant gender effect was observed across state (F8,46=.3585; p=.94) or trait(F8,46=1.9740; p=.07) attributes. Males, however, tended to be more power-oriented, more motivated to achieve success, and exhibited less mood disturbance than females. In summary, results revealed no significant differences in psychological constructs between skill level or gender. Findings may be attributed to small sample size, subject selection, or greater psychologic heterogeneity among climbers. In conclusion, highly skilled rock climbers exhibit similar psychological profiles, and reflect similar state and trait attributes when compared to athletes in more traditional sports.

THE LEVENSON LOCUS OF CONTROL SCALES: CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSES AND EVALUATION

Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the factor structure of several versions of Levenson's (1973) locus of control scales. Two- and three-factor models based on all 24 of Levenson's items and on 20 of her items were tested. The 3-factor models provided a good fit. Models proposed by R. M. Shewchuk, G. A. Foelker Jr., and G. Niederehe (1990) and R. M. Shewchuk, G. A Foelker Jr., C. J. Camp, and F. Blanchard-Fields (1992) also provided a good fit of the data. In concurrent and prospective tests of the predictive ability of the various models, the 24 and 20 item versions of Levenson's models accounted for a significant amount of variance In depressive symptomatology. The three-factor models revealed that only scores on the chance scale reliably predicted time 2 depressive symptomatology. Neither of the models proposed by Shewchuk and colleagues accounted for a significant amount of variance.

Locus of Control and Entrepreneurship in the Russian Republic

An internal locus of control has been linked empirically to entrepreneurial activity. In changing to a market economy, therefore, the Russian Republic may face hidden psychological barriers if 70 years of a closely managed economy has Induced a perception of control located In powerful others rather than oneself. Levenson's (three-dimensional) locus of control scale Is administered In the former Soviet Union and the results compared to baseline data across various countries and cultures. The findings Indicate that when compared to most countries, the Russian respondents did possess lower Internal locus of control scores and In some Instances higher powerful other scores.

Locus of control, altruism and agentic disposition

This study presents and empirically tests a simple model of attitudinal and personality influences on individual willingness to take action in support of the environment (agentic disposition) in a sample of 367 residents of Fairfax County in Virginia. The model, comprised of items from Schwartz's theory of norm activated altruism and an abridged version of Levenson's three-dimensional conception of locus of control, fits the data well. Results of the study indicate that 1) locus of control is best viewed as multidimensional rather than previous unidimensional conceptualizations, 2) each of the Levenson locus of control dimensions plays a unique role in the model of environmental agentic disposition, and 3) agentic disposition can be conceptualized as a type of norm activated altruism. The role of agentic disposition in legitimating the positions taken by social movement organizations is discussed.

Construct Validation Study of the Fear of Powerlessness Scale

To establish construct validity with 129 subjects for the Fear of Powerlessness Scale parallels were drawn among Levenson's Locus of Control Scales, the Fear of Powerlessness, and the Desire for Control Scale. Analysis yielded significant correlations between scores on the Fear of Powerlessness Scale, the Desire for Control Scale (negative), and 2 of Levenson's Locus of Control Scales, the Chance Scale and the Powerful Others Scale (positive).

Reliability and Validity of a Brief Version of Levenson's Locus of Control Scale

A 9-item locus of control scale was constructed from Levenson's (1974) 24-item locus of control scale. Principal components and second-order factor analyses of responses from 129 undergraduates indicated satisfactory reliability and construct validity of the reduced scale. Structural equation analysis using a scaled measure of perceived risk supported the predictive validity of the reduced scale.

Perceptions of control in panic disorder and social phobia

Levenson's (1973) locus of control scale was used to assess perceptions of control in individuals with panic disorder and social phobia, compared to a nonclinical sample. Both anxiety disorder groups showed a lower sense of internal control compared to the normal sample. Furthermore, the two anxiety disorder groups showed contrasting externality orientations. Panic-disordered individuals viewed events as proceeding in a random and uncontrollable way, while social phobics viewed events as controlled by powerful others. Partial correlations confirmed the unique relationship between each disorder and a particular externality orientation and indicated that low internal perceptions of control were strongly influenced by the presence of beliefs in chance and powerful others. These data suggest that perceptions of diminished control may be an affective—cognitive theme of anxiety, and that specific types of control perceptions are uniquely associated with these particular anxiety disorders.