Internal-external locus of control and guilt

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Locus of control (internal-external) is a key personality construct.
• Guilt is a complex emotion with moral and social implications.
• Understanding the interplay between personality and guilt is crucial for psychological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between locus of control orientation and guilt.
• To explore gender differences in guilt experiences.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale.
• Employed the Mosher Guilt Scales (Hostility and Morality-Conscience Guilt).
• Surveyed 65 male and 137 undergraduate students.

Main Results:

• Internals reported significantly higher hostility guilt compared to externals.
• Females exhibited greater levels of both hostility and morality-conscience guilt than males.
• Significant correlations were found between locus of control and specific guilt types.

Conclusions:

• Internal locus of control is associated with increased hostility guilt.
• Gender plays a role in the experience and expression of guilt.
• Findings contribute to understanding personality-trait influences on emotional responses.