Browsing by Subject "Locus of control"
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Item Developing a better understanding of daily support transactions across a major life transition : the role that locus of control plays in the process(2014-08) Ryon, Holly Smith; Gleason, Marci Elizabeth JoyWhile much research has shown that being in a supportive relationship can buffer individuals from both the physical and psychological effects of stressful life events (House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988; Uchino, 2004), research concerning actual support exchanges, specifically receiving support, has been associated with negative effects (Gleason, Iida, Bolger, & Shrout, 2003; Gleason, Iida, Shrout, & Bolger, 2008). Understanding the differential effects of this process on mood and health is the focus of this study. The current paper adds to the existing literature by first, theoretically replicating previously established support transaction patterns and their effects on mood within committed couples and second, investigating the role that personality (i.e., perceived control) plays in moderating the effects of support on mood and health outcomes. In a daily diary study of 78 couples expecting their first child, I investigate the within and between-person associations between control, support, mood, and health. Couples were asked to independently complete three weeks of daily diaries at three different time points (i.e., during their third trimester, infancy, and toddlerhood). With the exception of women in their third trimester of pregnancy, we theoretically replicate previous support patterns and the effects on mood and find both state- and trait- level control to be important in this process such that the greater an individual's sense of control, the more he or she is buffered from negative influence of support transactions. Hypotheses concerning support and health are only partially supported in that receiving support and negative health symptoms are positively associated.Item Dogmatism, Locus of Control, Perceived Counselor Self-Efficacy, and the Theoretical Orientation Of Students in a Master's Level Counseling Practicum(2017-04-13) Benesh, Andrew Christopher; Watts, Richard E.; Sullivan, Jeffrey; Henriksen, Jr., RichardPurpose The purpose of this study was to fill a gap in the literature by examining the relationship between dogmatism, locus of control, counselor self-efficacy, and counselor theoretical orientation in a sample of master’s level practicum students. Method A total of 45 master’s practicum students completed a series of four instruments, the DOG Scale, the Internal Control Index, the Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Theoretical Orientation Profile Scale-Revised. Data were analyzed using quantitative analysis. Cronbach’s alphas were computed to answer the first research question, to determine if the instruments were reliable for the sample. A series of Pearson product-moment correlations were used to answer the second research question. This question addressed whether there were any relationships between dogmatism, locus of control, or perceived counselor self-efficacy. Finally, a MANOVA was conducted to answer research question three. The MANOVA was used to see if there were statistically significant differences in respondents’ levels of dogmatism, locus of control, and perceived counselor self-efficacy based on their theoretical orientation. Results The analyses revealed that the instruments were reliable for the sample. Also the Pearson’s product correlations suggested a large, positive correlation between locus of control and perceived counselor self-efficacy. No other statistically significant relationships were found.Item Impact of logotherapy on at-risk African American elementary students(2006-08) Wimberly, Cynthia L.; Bradley, Loretta J.; Olivarez, Arturo; Marbley, Aretha F.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school counseling intervention based on logotherapy, an existential approach, with at-risk African American upper elementary students on students’ search for meaning in life and locus of control as measured by the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and Nowicki Strickland Locus of Control Scale (NSLOC). Change in students' task orientation, behavior control, assertiveness, and peer social skills as perceived by the homeroom teacher was measured by the Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS). The sample consisted of 59 at-risk African American 5th and 6th grade students enrolled in a public elementary school in a mid-sized city in the southern United States. Specifically, there were 23 males and 36 females. Classes were randomly selected for the control and treatment groups. Both groups were administered pre- and posttests. The treatment group received an eight week guidance unit delivered by the school counselor. The unit was based on the tenets of logotherapy (e.g. meaning exists under all circumstances, all persons have the innate desire to find meaning, and all persons have the capacity to find meaning). Teachers (three African American and two white) completed the T-CRS as a pre- and posttest for the control group and treatment group. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to examine the difference between the two groups for Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and Nowicki Strickland Locus of Control Scale (NSLOC). The results of the statistical analysis indicated significance in change scores on the PIL for meaning in life and in scores on the NSLOC for locus of control. While the students in the treatment group showed positive growth in meaning in life and internal locus of control, the control group regressed in meaning in life and internal locus of control during the eight week period. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was calculated to determine significance for the teachers’ perceptions as measured by the Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS). Significance was not found for any of the four constructs (i.e. task orientation, behavior control, assertiveness, or peer social skills) as measured by teachers’ perceptions on the T-CRS. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. Although not statistically significant, an interesting phenomenon occurred in that the control group that did not receive any intervention regressed. The treatment group, which scored lower in every area on the pretest, either showed improvement in each of the subtests or remained stable following the eight week intervention. These results corroborate existing research that supports the effectiveness of classroom guidance lessons as an intervention for at-risk students’ meaning in life, locus of control, and classroom behaviors. This study provides a practical avenue for the utilization of data in school counseling programs. In addition, this study provides a blueprint for one type of guidance units, for the use of data to support guidance lessons, and for school counseling programs that address the issues of accountability and strategic interventions to address the needs of a specific population. Recommendations for future research included: the inclusion of additional academic achievement data and replication of this study in a nonschool setting.Item Locus of control : daily variability within a stressful context(2012-05) Ryon, Holly Smith; Gleason, Marci Elizabeth Joy; Huston, Ted L.; Neff, Lisa A.Research has established locus of control as a strong trait-level predictor of health and well-being and indicates that individuals with a greater sense of internal control benefit from healthier outcomes across a broad range of domains. To date, however, little research has investigated the potential malleability and state-level functioning of locus of control. Drawing from social learning theories, it was predicted that locus of control would vary on a daily basis and further that this variation would be influenced by daily hassles and anxiety. Additionally, an individual’s trait-level of internal locus of control was expected to moderate this association. The current study consists of 58 couples expecting their first child. Couples were asked to independently complete three weeks of daily diaries during their third trimester. Diaries assessed daily feelings of control, anxiety, and number of hassles encountered. Once reliable daily variation of locus of control was established, within-person analyses revealed a negative relationship such that on a day when an individual reported more anxiety or more hassles, that individual also reported feeling less control than on an average day. Further analyses revealed that an individual’s trait-level of internal control influenced this association such that, overall, those individuals with a higher trait-level of internality maintained higher levels of daily control in the face of hassles and anxiety. These findings extend prior research by providing a better understanding of locus of control and suggest important implications for efforts aimed at improving health and well-being.Item Locus of control, preparatory information, and state anxiety in surgical patients(Texas Tech University, 1984-08) Larde, Judy LNot availableItem The effects of individual and familial factors on mathematics achievement for young women(Texas Tech University, 2008-12) Baykina, Marianna; Burley, Hansel E.This study investigated the interaction between dimensions of individual student differences, familial factors, and parental involvement in their children’s academic education as accounting for female high school students’ achievement in mathematics and persistence in classes of advanced mathematics. The study utilized secondary data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study 1988. Individual student differences were assessed as differences in locus of control and math self-efficacy. Familial factors included the presence of older and younger brothers in the family. Parental involvement in their children’s schooling was assessed based both on parents’ reports and students’ reports. Statistical analyses included factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Obtained results demonstrated that student individual factors had more impact on achievement in mathematics and in persistence in classes of advanced mathematics than parental involvement did, thus supporting the theoretical model of Bronfenbrenner (1999) with regard to proximity of influences. Presence of brothers in the family appeared not to have an effect on respondents’ mathematics achievement or mathematics-related choices.Item The relationship of creativity, locus of control, and openness to experience among Chinese college students(Texas Tech University, 1998-08) Zi, FeiThis study detected control structure and creative abilities of Chinese college students. No between-gender, between-grade, and between college difference in locus of control was found among Chinese undergraduates. However, significant between-grade and between-college differences were found in creative abilities. No between-gender difference was found among Chinese college students. Compared with American norms, Chinese undergraduates was slightly but significantly lower in internality and slightly and significantly higher in chance perception. American college students were higher in powerful others perception. As to creative abilities, Chinese students got higher scores in fluency, originality, and abstractness of thinking while Americans acquired higher scores in elaboration. No significant difference was found in resistance to premature closure between Chinese and American undergraduates. Locus of control and openness to experience, especially locus of control, were good predictors of creative abilities of Chinese freshmen. More internal and opener freshmen tended to be more creative than those who were more external and closed-minded. The linear combination of locus of control and openness to experience was moderately strong predictor of creative abilities among Chinese freshmen. Neither locus of control nor openness to experience, nor the linear combination of them was good predictor of creative abilities of Chinese sophomores and juniors. Locus of control, openness to experience, and the linear combination of locus of control and openness to experience were significant predictors of two of five creative abilities—fluency and originality—of Chinese seniors. Paradoxically, it seniors who were more external and closed got higher scores in fluency and originality.Item THREE ESSAYS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEALTH TRASNSFERS AND SUBSEQUENT WEALTH(2011-08) Sybrowsky, Jacob P.; Finke, Michael S.; Hampton, Vickie L.; Salter, John; Harness, Nathan; Whitby, RyanLife-cycle theory provides a theoretical framework for maximizing utility following the receipt of a wealth transfer. Empirical evidence has shown that the source of a transfer may affect how the transfer is framed. Individuals and households are affected by individual time preference, which is the process by which individuals weigh the tradeoffs of consumption across time and dissipation refers to the method by which funds drawn down across time. Also, the subjective weight that an individual puts on possible outcomes may affect demand for risky assets. Individual attributes like propensity to trust and locus of control are established personality constructs related to choice under uncertainty. This dissertation adds to the current body of knowledge of wealth change and preferred portfolio composition. Using life-cycle theory and framing as potential frameworks, results indicate that framing better explains subsequent variation in wealth among respondents who recently received an inheritance. Results show that a smaller transfer may be viewed as found money to be spent on immediate consumption rather than incorporated into life-cycle spending. Testing the relationship between time preference and dissipation risk by examining subsequent change in wealth among households who experienced significant increases in wealth provides insight into the relationship between time preference and wealth accumulation. Results indicate a higher propensity to continue saving and increase wealth over time for those who have lower time preference. This may lead to over-saving, based on life-cycle theory. The study of individual attributes like trust and time preference may provide insight into preference for risky assets. Results show that those who are less trusting are less likely to select a portfolio with risky assets and are more likely to prefer government bonds. Those closest to the median level of locus of control are more likely to prefer a large portion of government bonds, compared to individuals with low levels of locus of control.Item Use of locus of control and self-efficacy to predict outcome in alcohol treatment(Texas Tech University, 1992-12) Margolis, David AAlcohol misuse is undoubtedly one of the most significant drug problems confronting this nation today. Unfortunately, the attrition rates from various alcohol treatment programs range from approximately 13% to 39% with an average of 28% (Baekeland & Lundwall, 1975). Thus, it is important to identify those factors that are predictive of treatment outcome in an alcohol and drug abuse program (ADAP) which could ultimately lead to a reduction in dropout rates. The present study examined two social-learning constructs, namely locus of control (Rotter, 1966) and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977), in terms of their ability (both independently and together) to predict successful completion of an ADAP. A number of other variables including self-deception/impression management, depression, and demographic factors were analyzed. It was hypothesized that individuals with relatively higher self-efficacy and a more internal locus of control would be more likely to complete treatment successfully. In addition, it was hypothesized that locus of control would correlate negatively with self-efficacy. Finally, self-efficacy was predicted to be a stronger predictor of treatment success than locus of control. A sample of 150 patients admitted to a 30-day ADAP in a west Texas state hospital were administered measures of self-efficacy, locus of control, depression, and self—deception/impression management plus a demographic questionnaire. Although locus of control was correlated negatively with self-efficacy, it was the unsuccessful treatment group which demonstrated relatively higher self-efficacy as well as a slightly more internal locus of control (opposite of what was predicted). While some of the self-efficacy factors were stronger predictors of treatment success than locus of control, other self-efficacy factors were not as strong. Interestingly, the unsuccessful group also had higher scores in self-deception and impression management. This latter finding was given as one possible explanation for the unexpected results. Another possibility for these findings might lie in the fact that the self—efficacy instrument employed in this study is fairly new and has yet to undergo rigorous validity testing. Finally, the overall utility of these constructs for making predictions regarding successfully completing complex tasks was examined.