The multidimensional-multiattributional causality scale: The development of a goal specific locus of control scale.

Abstract

The development of goal specific locus of control scales is described along with several validity studies. The scales were designed to assess the locus of control for affiliation and achievement and were constructed from items representing each quadrant of Weiner''s locus and stability of the causal attribution model. Half the items concern success, and half concern failure experiences. In a series of 4 studies the achievement locus of control scale failed to predict the affiliation-relevant criteria but was related to human body movements indicative of discomfort in the 1 achievement situation that was investigated. Interference and disruptions during the achievement task had a greater unsettling influence on achievement internals. Affiliation locus of control allowed for the prediction of self-disclosure when conditions called for disclosure and was related to the demonstration of listening skills in a dyadic interaction. In each case affiliation internals proved more socially adroit. Affiliation locus of control was related to recalled early life events that were previously related to more general measures of locus of control.