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Effect of induced locus of control on change in field independence
Author(s) -
Bloomberg Morton,
Meehan Suzanne
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(197507)31:3<492::aid-jclp2270310329>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - citation , independence (probability theory) , library science , psychology , locus of control , state (computer science) , psychoanalysis , social psychology , computer science , statistics , mathematics , algorithm
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.