The relationship of locus of control dimensions to reported hostility and aggression

The Fatalism and Social System Control dimensions of the Reid-Ware Three-Factor Locus of Control Scale were correlated with the two main factors of the Buss-Durkee Hostility-Aggression Inventory. For the total sample of 61 male and 96 female undergraduates, both locus of control dimensions correlated significantly with the Hostility factor. Externals on each dimension reported greater hostility than did internals. Only the Fatalism dimension correlated with the Aggression factor, with externals reporting more aggression than internals. For males, only the Fatalism dimension was significantly correlated with the Hostility factor. Both the Fatalism and Social System Control dimensions correlated with the Hostility factor among the females, but the correlation with the latter dimension was slightly stronger. Neither locus of control dimension was correlated significantly with the Aggression factor when data from males and females were analyzed separately.