Developed by:  Betsy Boyd
Revised: Spring 2002

Level:  9-12

Locus of Control

Standards


Learning 
Expectations
 

 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standard:
7.0 Acquire Self-Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills
The student will:
7.2 recognize and respect the feelings and needs of self and others.

General Approach		 After an introduction of the concept of Locus of Control, students will complete and score the Locus of Control Scale.  Classroom discussion will follow.

Activity Steps		 For background information on Locus of Control, you may want to view 
http://www.thefamily.com/locus.html
First, introduce the concept to students, for whom it is likely to be unfamiliar.  You may want to incorporate the following:  "Locus of control is a personality dimension originally described by Julian Rotter (1966).  According to Rotter, people vary in regard to how responsible they feel for their own fate.  Individuals with an internal locus of control tend to believe that people are responsible for their successes and failures.  Conversely, people with a relatively external locus of control tend to attribute successes and failures to luck, chance, or fate.  The scale you are about to complete measures your belief about whether events are controlled internally or externally." 

Next, distribute the Locus of Control Scale to students.  Read the directions, including directions for scoring, and allow enough time for everybody to complete the score and determine their score.

Some follow-up discussion is advisable.  Perhaps have students get in small groups and discuss whether or not they are surprised by the results of the test.  In a large group,  the teacher would want to relate how whether one has an internal or external locus of control can determine their behavior.  Students may contribute examples of how how one can control one's outcomes relates to their study habits, approach when interviewing for a job, or nurturing relationships with friends and family members.

Time Required		 10 minutes introduction to the concept of Locus of Control
10 minutes to complete the Locus of Control Scale
15-20 minutes to interpret the students' scores and follow-up discussion

Resources Needed		 Enough copies of the Locus of Control Scale for each student to have one.

Performance
Indicators		 The concept of Locus of Control can be reinforced throughout the semester.  Students can be asked to think about the relationship between believing that they can influence the course of what happens to them and academic success, getting into the college of their choice, successfully moving into their preferred career field, etc.