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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Control (Psychology); Problem children--Education; Self-perception in children;

Abstract

The personality dimension, locus of control , has gained increased interest over the past two decades. Reviews by Lefcourt (1966) and Rotter (1966) have described the theory by stating that the locus of control construct is used to differentiate whether individuals believe that the positive and negative reinforcements they receive are the consequence of their own actions (internal orientation) or are instead due to factors beyond their personal control (external orientation). Locus of control has been studied as it relates to a variety of variables by dozens of authors. Very few of these studies, however, deal with locus of control orientation and exceptional learners, or more specifically, behaviorally disordered students. The purpose of the study was to determine if a significant difference existed between the locus of control orientation of behaviorally disordered institutionalized students and their matched normal counterparts in a public school setting. A sample of 70 subjects, 35 behaviorally disordered institutionalized subjects and 35 normal public school students, were involved i n the study. The two groups ranged in age from 7-16 and were matched on the basis of age, sex, and mean IQ. There were 28 males and 7 females in each group. The assessment tool utilized in the study was the Modified Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire (Ringelheim, Bialer, & Morrissey , 1969). Each question was read to every subject on an individual basis. The subject then selected one of two response options and the examiner recorded it. The data analysis was completed using a t-test of independent means at the .05 significance level. No significant differences were found in the I+, I-, or Total I scores of the two groups. These results suggest that behaviorally disordered students assume approximately the same amount of responsibility for positive and negative events that occur in academic settings. The results of this investigation could reflect the intense therapeutic programming provided to all residents. Students at the institution received individual counseling and therapy reflecting a reality bas ed orientation which encouraged students to take responsibility for their own actions. Lefcourt (1972) suggested that a viable therapeutic goal of psychotherapy is to have the patient develop a more internal locus of control orientation. Dua (1970) illustrated in a study that therapy could potentially decrease externality in clients. Further investigations are warranted in the area of locus of control orientation and behaviorally disordered subjects. Several variables should be controlled in the studies such as length of stay at the institution, socioeconomic status, and the institutional therapeutic milieu.

Year of Submission

1985

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Department of Special Education

First Advisor

Donna Raschke

Second Advisor

Charles V. L. Dedrick

Third Advisor

Lee Courtnage

Comments

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Date Original

1985

Object Description

1 PDF file (57 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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