Electromyograph responses and performance success estimates as a function of internal-external control

Area of Science:

• Psychophysiology
• Motor Control
• Locus of Control Research

Background:

• Locus of control (LOC) theory posits individuals' beliefs about the causes of events influence their behavior.
• Previous research has explored the relationship between LOC and various physiological and behavioral outcomes.
• Understanding how LOC influences the perception and control of bodily functions, such as muscle activity, remains an area of interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between locus of control and the accuracy of self-estimates of forearm muscle activity.
• To compare electromyography (EMG) recordings with self-reported success in tensing and relaxing forearm muscles in individuals with external versus internal LOC.

Main Methods:

• Electromyography (EMG) was used to objectively measure forearm muscle activity.
• Participants (N=24 college women) were divided into external (n=12) and internal (n=12) locus of control groups based on scoring.
• Self-estimates of success in tensing and relaxing forearm muscles were compared with EMG recordings.

Main Results:

• Marginally significant negative correlations (r=-.50 for tensing, r=-.54 for relaxing) were found between EMG and self-estimates in the external LOC group.
• Correlations in the internal LOC group were substantially smaller, indicating less agreement between objective muscle activity and self-perception.
• Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in the actual ability to control forearm muscles between the two LOC groups.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with an external locus of control may exhibit a greater congruence between their perceived and actual forearm muscle activity.
• The findings suggest that locus of control orientation may influence interoceptive accuracy or the reporting of bodily states.
• Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its implications for other physiological processes.