The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between work locus of control, the quality of exchanges between subordinates and leaders (leader-member exchange) and job satisfaction. The research design of this study was a non-experimental, cross-sectional mediator design. A biographical questionnaire was used to ascertain the demographic information for the participants. Work locus of control was assessed using Spector’s (1988) work locus of control measure. Leader Member exchange was measured utilizing the member form of the leader member exchange scale LMX7. Job satisfaction of the employees was measured using The Warr 15-item Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS). The sample consisted of 115 employees from all levels of the organisation with the exception of members in top management. The sampling strategy that was utilised was non-probability sampling in which participants were recruited on the basis of their willingness to participate in the study. The study used correlations and regression analyses to analyse the data. The results of this study indicated that work locus of control had an inverse relationship with job satisfaction and leader member exchange. Mediation regression analysis indicated that leader member exchange partially mediated the relationship between work locus of control and job satisfaction. In view of the findings of this study, it is suggested that researchers on industrial relations could focus on ways in which South African organisations could improve employee-manager relations through the management of employee work locus of control, leader-member exchanges and workplace factors that contribute to employee job satisfaction

Student Number : 0317880W - MA dissertation - School of Psychology - Faculty of Humanities / A large portion of literature on organisational development is devoted to how organisations have changed and the subsequent effect that these changes have had on the human beings within them. Organisations are constantly trying to change and develop themselves so that they are better equipped to face challenges that exist within the greater macro environment. These changes affect all facets of the organisation and often have a life altering impact on the employees involved. One such impact that this fluctuating corporate environment has had on employees is that they are required to develop themselves to safeguard against unexpected changes that may jeopardise their job security. Employees are constantly trying to improve themselves and their marketability so that they may progress in their careers. The major shift from previous decades is that employees are currently more committed to their careers than to their organisation (Cavanaugh & Noe, 1999). Moving up the organisational hierarchy is one way to achieve career development (Garavan, Collahan, 1996) and may be regarded as reward for the self-development that one has worked so hard for. If employees do not see an opportunity to further themselves and their careers, a possible response would be to leave the organisation and look for other avenues to achieve this development. The present study aimed to explore this by determining how a personality construct effects ones perceptions of intraorganisational mobility and the reactions that these perceptions generate. A large South African banking institution was used to sample employees for the study and being a service firm, all indications are that it is an extremely underresearched organisational form (Malos, Campion, 2000). The key strategic focus of the group is said to include among others, to focus on customer service, to improve transparency and to meet transformation goals in line with the financial sector charter. This is in response to numerous restructuring and change efforts that have taken place within the last two years. The organisation serves as an illustration of corporate life within South Africa. The company is continually trying to change and develop to meet the challenges of the greater macro environment. In doing so, the employees are required to respond proactively to the changes that take place and develop themselves accordingly. In light of this, the organisation provided a useful backdrop from which to analyse the relationship between locus of control, perceptions of intra-organisational mobility, satisfaction with promotion opportunities and future career planning.

Student Number: 0316733E Master of Arts (Industrial Psychology) Faculty of Humanities / The aim of this research project was to investigate final year university students’ attitudes towards affirmative action. In particular the current research investigated the final year students’ justice perceptions and attitudes towards affirmative action as well as their perceptions of job opportunities. The study also incorporated the role of locus of control in relation to the above mentioned variables. Prior research indicated that affirmative action is perceived as controversial in nature and has been accused of promoting inherent unfairness of practices and procedures that give preferential treatment to certain groups of people based on gender, race and ethnicity (Parker, Baltes and Christiansen, 1997). In addition affirmative action has been accused of reducing job opportunities for non-beneficiaries, as well as stigmatising those it aims to assist (Kravits and Plantainia, 1992). Therefore there arises a need to examine and explore affirmative action within South Africa, as much research has been conducted in the United States and is not applicable to South Africa. The present research was conducted using a quantitative, non-experimental cross sectional research design. The sample consisted of fourth year bachelor of accounting students. Five hypotheses were tested. The results indicted that support was found for three of the hypotheses, indicating that attitudes towards affirmative action differ between beneficiaries and non – beneficiaries. There is a relationship between perceptions of job opportunities and attitudes towards affirmative action as well as a relationship between justice perceptions of affirmative action and attitudes towards affirmative action in both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research. The implications of the research and the limitations of the study are outlined in the research report.

O número de indivíduos obesos quase dobrou desde 1980. Sendo assim, a obesidade torna-se uma ameaça para o equilíbrio físico, mental e social destes indivíduos. Entre os tratamentos psicológicos, destaca-se a Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental, na qual explica que o sistema de crenças de um indivíduo interfere no desenvolvimento de seus sentimentos e comportamentos e, quando distorcido, pode causar tendências disfuncionais de raciocínio. Adaptar instrumentos a fim de aprofundar os estudos em relação ao comportamento alimentar de indivíduos obesos, pode levar a promover ações para promoção de saúde destes. A Dieting Beliefs Scale, composta por 16 afirmações, divididas entre lócus de controle interno (fator 1), lócus que estão além do controle, (fator 2) e lócus externo (fator 3), avalia a relação entre peso e comportamento na dieta. O objetivo deste estudo é adaptar esta escala em adultos para a amostra não clínica (alunos e funcionários da Universidade de Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP) de ambos os sexos e aplicar a versão adaptada para amostra clínica (pacientes da clínica de Nutrição da UNAERP). A análise dos dados da adaptação foi realizada com 197 sujeitos da amostra não clínica e foram realizadas a tradução, análise das evidências de validade (Análise Fatorial Exploratória - AFE - e Análise Fatorial Confirmatória - AFC) e precisão ou fidedignidade (alpha de Cronbach e teste-reteste). A aplicação da escala adaptada foi realizada na amostra clínica (n=114). Em relação aos resultados da tradução, a amostra não clínica não apresentou dúvidas em relação à versão traduzida. Sendo assim, esta foi aplicada em 197 sujeitos desta amostra. Já em relação aos resultados das evidências de validade a AFE constatou que os itens 2, 9, 10, 11 e 15 apresentaram uma carga fatorial alta para o fator 1; os itens 5, 6 e 7 apresentaram alta carga fatorial para o fator 2 e os itens 8, 12 e 13, para o fator 3. Foram excluídos os itens 1, 3, 4 e 16 por terem apresentado carga fatorial abaixo de 0,40. Na AFC, o modelo re-especificado da escala original apresentou ajuste razoável. Os resultados da Precisão ou fidedignidade foi realizada por meio do Alpha de Cronbach (0,404), classificado como moderado e do Teste-reteste (n=96), onde se observou que o fator 1 possui maior índice de correlação (0,620), comparados com os fatores 2 (0,499) e 3 (0,381). Os resultados da aplicação da escala na amostra clínica mostram que há evidências da não relação estatisticamente significativa entre o IMC e os fatores da Escala de Crenças sobre Dieta. Esta amostra pode ter compreensão da importância dos fatores internos em um processo de perda de peso. Assim, as análises estatísticas demonstraram qualidades psicométricas razoáveis. Recomenda-se a utilização deste instrumento para pesquisas a fim de compreender as crenças dos indivíduos em processo de perda de peso e o fator que pode estar interferindo em seu comportamento / The number of obese people has nearly doubled since 1980. Thus, obesity becomes a threat to the physical, mental and social balance of these individuals. Among the psychological treatments, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy stands out, in which it explains that the belief system of an individual interferes in the development of their feelings and behaviors and, when distorted, can cause dysfunctional tendencies of reasoning. Adapting instruments to deepen the studies regarding the eating behavior of obese individuals may lead to actions to promote their health. The Dieting Beliefs Scale, composed of 16 statements, divided between internal control locus (factor 1), locus that are beyond the control (factor 2) and external locus (factor 3), evaluates the relationship between weight and behavior in the diet. The aim of this study is to adapt this scale in adult non-clinical sample (students and staff at the University of Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP) of both genders and apply the version adapted for clinical sample (clinic patients Nutrition UNAERP). The analysis of the adaptation data was performed with 197 subjects from the non-clinical sample and the translation, analysis of the validity evidence (Exploratory Factor Analysis - AFE - and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - AFC) and accuracy or reliability (Cronbach\'s alpha and test -retested). The application of the adapted scale was performed in the clinical sample (n = 114). Regarding the results of the translation, the non-clinical sample showed no doubts about the translated version. Therefore, it was applied in 197 subjects of this sample. Regarding the results of the validity evidence, AFE found that items 2, 9, 10, 11 and 15 presented a high factor load factor 1; Items 5, 6 and 7 presented a high factor load for factor 2 and items 8, 12 and 13 for factor 3. Items 1, 3, 4 and 16 were excluded because they presented a factorial load below 0.40. In the AFC, the re-specified model of the original scale presented a reasonable fit. The results of Accuracy or reliability were performed using Cronbach\'s Alpha (0.404), classified as moderate and Test-retest (n = 96), where it was observed that factor 1 had a higher correlation index (0.620), compared with Factors 2 (0.499) and 3 (0.381). The results of scale application in the clinical sample show that there is evidence of a non-statistically significant relationship between BMI and Dietary Belief Scale factors. This sample may have an understanding of the importance of internal factors in a weight loss process. Thus, the statistical analyzes demonstrated reasonable psychometric qualities. It is recommended to use this tool for research in order to understand the beliefs of individuals in the process of weight loss and the factor that may be interfering in their behavior

The correlation between locus of control and marital satisfaction is examined as part of a longitudinal study spanning 44 years and 3 time points. It is predicted that as locus of control has more of an external orientation marital satisfaction will be lower. Participants include high school juniors and seniors in the state of Washington from 1966 with follow-up surveys in 1980 and 2010. Using ordinary least squares regressions, marital satisfaction scores in 1980 or 2010 are predicted by locus of control scores from either 1966 or 1980 with control variables that include gender, income, educational attainment, occupational prestige, and military service. Partial support for the presented hypotheses is found and discussed. Locus of control as measured in middle adulthood predicted marital satisfaction measured contemporaneously. However, in contrast to previous reports, none of the control variables significantly predicted marital satisfaction. A primary limitation that is discussed regards the measurement of locus of control occurring in a manner without any established psychometric data to confirm reliability or validity. Understanding the relationship between locus of control and marital satisfaction may help improve case conceptualization and treatment for couples seeking treatment. Considerations for future research are explored.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to research the effects of a student-staff mentoring relationship on high school students’ locus of control, life/school satisfaction and ultimately their academics as determined by their grades. Participants consisted of a small cohort of 10th grade high school students at a public charter, college preparatory high school in inner city Phoenix, Arizona. Frederickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and Bandura’s social cognitive theory provide the models of behavior to improve school satisfaction, motivation and overall well being. A mixed method, action research design was used to study how a 9-week mentoring program facilitated by the dean of students impacted the students’ locus of control, satisfaction, and academic achievement. Participants completed pre and post test measures using a modified Trice College Success Survey that measured external-internal locus of control and the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS) used to measure life satisfaction and sub-constructs of satisfaction including family, friends, school, living environment and self. Post intervention a smaller sample of students were interviewed, field notes were also compiled and analyzed using a social constructionist point of view to gather insight on how students create their own knowledge and how that connects to their behaviors and attitudes that affect their success. Among the key findings was that students indicated a preference for the type of individualized attention that the mentoring program introduced to support them academically. Quantitative analyses of the survey data did not indicate a significant shift from external to internal locus of control or an improvement in life or school satisfaction, however further research should be conducted to implement a longer intervention period with similar intervention components. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Administration and Supervision 2019

Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition researchers have cited as a major cause of marital discord and divorce for veterans with PTSD. This study examined the psychological construct of locus of control among the wives of veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD and whether or not it was a predictor of marital satisfaction within this context. An extensive search of the current literature revealed no previous studies that had investigated this relationship. Utilizing the family systems theory to address this gap, this study sought to compare reported marital satisfaction in wives with an internal locus of control to those with an external locus of control. Participants for this study were 111 wives of veterans with combat-related PTSD, each of whom completed a demographic questionnaire, the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Survey, and the Duttweiler Internal Control Index. A multiple linear regression was conducted to determine if age, number of years married, number of children, level of education, household income, and internal locus of control were predictors of marital satisfaction reported by wives of veterans with combat-related PTSD. The results indicated that an internal locus of control accounted for a significant degree of the variance in marital satisfaction while the demographic variables were not significant predictors. This study contributes to social change by providing an empirical insight into the relationship between locus of control and marital satisfaction in wives of veterans with PTSD. The results of this study could help improve the quality of life of veterans with PTSD by enhancing awareness of locus of control to practitioners while developing a therapeutic treatment plan that will fit the veteran's locus of control orientation.

An intrinsic religious orientation has been linked to improved cardiovascular health. Individuals may be protected by their beliefs against anger/hostility, which have been linked to increased cardiovascular reactivity and disease. Health locus of control differentiates between internals, who take responsibility for health, and externals, who attribute responsibility to chance or powerful others. Internal health locus of control has been linked to healthy behaviors, but its relationship to religious orientation is unclear. Intrinsically held religious beliefs and internally held expectancies for health may, through the mechanism of reactivity, reduce risk for cardiovascular disease. This study explored relationships among health locus of control, religious orientation, and cardiovascular reactivity to an interpersonal stressor in an older adult population. Intrinsic religiousness and internal health locus of control emerged as highly related potential buffers against anger/hostility and cardiovascular reactivity.

Across any group of gifted students in any school there will always be a range of academic and other achievements. It is when these achievements are compared with measures of potential and the expectations of teachers and parents that a gifted child can sometimes be declared an underachiever. The 37 gifted students taking part in this study ranged in academic achievement from high achievers to underachievers. In part one of the study a questionnaire approach was used to measure their locus of control (LOC) and learned helplessness (LH) orientations and their tendency towards resilience or vulnerability. These students were also assessed as to their choice of performance or learning goals; effort or ability attributions for success; and the fixed or flexible nature of intelligence. The results of these investigations were then compared with the expectations of their teachers and their academic performance in recent examinations. None of the factors were found to yield consistent correlation with either expectations or academic achievements. Both high achievers and underachievers were found at all measures of all variables. In part two, a phenomenographic enquiry was undertaken by interview, to investigate the students' reactions to the twin phenomena of success and failure. LOC, LH and resilience/vulnerability were controlled for in this part of the study and the sample group chosen for interview (10 students) included both high achievers and underachievers. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed one characteristic which consistently differentiated between the underachievers and the high achievers. This was the reaction to failure. Consistently across the sample, irrespective of their LOC, LH and resilience orientations, the students achieving at the highest level were found to display an efficacious, learn-from-mistakes attitude to failure and the underachieving students displayed unhelpful reactions to failure ranging from denial to avoidance to helplessness. The terms failing well and failing badly were used to describe these two clusters of reactions. Learning to fail well, is proposed as one mechanism to help gifted underachievers improve their academic performance. This study adds to existing understandings in that its findings are contrary to much published literature and its conclusions appears to provide a new perspective on the characteristics of the gifted underachiever.

<p>Levnadsvillkoren för individer med utvecklingsstörning har under de senaste decennierna förändrats till det bättre. Att känna sig delaktig i sitt liv och ha möjligheten att själv påverka livssituationen är viktigt för dessa människor. Uppsatsförfattaren ville med den här studien undersöka om skillnad finns i hur aspekter av delaktighet uppfattas av två grupper; individer med utvecklingsstörning och personer i deras omgivning. En enkätstudie genomfördes med en omarbetad version av ”The Arc’s Self-Determination Scale” (Wehmeyer, 1995).En rangkorrelation visade på samband mellan vissa frågeområden. Resultatet diskuteras i relation till tidigare forskning och till svårigheter att undersöka upplevelser hos personer med utvecklingsstörning.</p>