Effect of induced locus of control on change in field independence

Abstract

Three groups, alike in Rod and Frame Test (RFT) scores on pretesting, were given different instructions for Rotter's Locus of Control scale. Thirty-two Ss were told to fake internal or external answers. Another 16 Ss were instructed to answer the scale according to their own actual beliefs. Analysis of RFT pretest-posttest changes revealed that in both experimental conditions initially field-dependent Ss changed in the direction of higher field independence, and field-independent Ss shifted toward higher field dependence. The total amount of change manifested by field-dependent Ss in both conditions was in excess of the change by field-independent Ss. Standard test-taking instructions raised the level of field independence for field-dependent and field-independent Ss, with the magnitude of change greater among field-independent Ss. When Ss given internal and external instructions filled out the Locus of Control scale again at the end of the experiment, field-independent Ss professed to hold significantly more beliefs than field-dependent Ss that were coincident with beliefs of their previously simulated role. The findings were discussed primarily in terms of the relationship between role-playing and development of identity.

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