Eliminating self-defeating behaviors and change in locus of control

This study investigated changes in locus of control occurring among participants in a workshop designed to eliminate self-defeating behaviors. Experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups were composed of male and female university students. An analysis of covariance indicated that the treatment group moved significantly more than the control group (p less than .001) on the Rotter I-E Scale, and movement was in the anticipated direction, toward greater internal control. The increased internal control was maintained in a follow-up administration of the I-E Scale four months later. It was concluded that the workshop brought relatively stable changes toward greater perceived internal control. Implications were discussed.