Locus of Control and the Intention to Lose Weight

Abstract

The relative importance of personal attitudes toward losing weight and the social pressures for weight loss in determining intentions to lose weight was compared for locus of control internals and externals who valued health and/or physical appearance highly. Findings consistent with the hypothesized differential importance of these two predictors of behavior intention for individuals designated internal and external by a behavior-specific locus of control scale are presented. Theoretical and practical applications of the findings are discussed.