Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rotter’s (1966) locus of control (LOC) is, fundamentally, a theory pertaining to individuals’ perceptions of personal control and their appraisal of the contingency of reinforcements in life. An individual may feel as though he/ she has either no control (external LOC) or ample control (internal LOC) over reinforcements. Due to its expediency, the locus of control construct has garnered much attention since it was first introduced to academia in the late 1960s. While originally positioned within Social Learning Theory, the notion of loci of control has since been appropriated into academic fields such as Medicine and Sociology. This particular study now brings the theory of LOC into the realm of Political Science. Employing World Values Survey (WVS) data collected over three time points (1995, 2001, and 2006) in South Africa; this longitudinal study establishes whether or not self-reported class and/ or race influence LOC by measuring the relationship between these three variables. The extent to which any relationships may be significant is also examined. The data analyses showed that the LOC of South Africans has steadily increased (become more internalised) from 1995 to 2006, and that a significant interaction effect occurs between race and class on LOC in South Africa. It was likewise discovered that class and LOC were highly correlated with each other – the self-reported Lower Class had a notably lower LOC compared to the relatively high LOC of the self-reported Upper Class. It is suggested that improved education levels and social security benefits may have a role in improving individuals’ LOC, especially in the South African context. The results of this study uncover future research avenues into class analyses, particularly studies that seek to understand the psychological dimensions of self-reported class or the psychological antecedents of class mobility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rotter (1966) se lokus van beheer (LVB) is, fundamenteel, ‘n teorie wat betrekking het tot individueë se persepsies van persoonlike beheer en die waarde wat hul heg aan gebeurlikhede waar versterkings hul voordoen in hul lewens. ‘n Individu mag voel asof hy/sy geen beheer het nie (eksterne LVB) of genoegsame beheer het (interne LVB) oor versterkings. As gevolg van die bruikbaarheid van die term, geniet die lokus van beheer toenemend aandag sedert die bekendstelling daarvan aan academici in die laat 1960s. Die term was aanvanklik geposisioneer in Sosiale Leer Teorie, maar die idee van lokusse van beheer is ook later aangewend in Sosiologiese en Mediese studies. Hierdie studie bring nou die teorie van LVB na Politieke Wetenskap. World Values Study (WVS) data wat versamel is tydens drie opeenvolgende jare (1995, 2001 en 2006) in Suid-Afrika is aangewend as deel van hierdie longitudinale studie om te bepaal of self-geidentifiseerde klas en/of ras ‘n impak het op LVB. Die verhoudinge van hierdie drie veranderlikes, sowel as die beduidendheid van hierdie verhoudings, is ondersoek. Die data analise toon dat die LVB van Suid-Afrikaners bestendig vermeerder het (meer geinternaliseer het) vanaf 1995 tot en met 2006, en dat ‘n noemenswaardige interaksie effek voorkom tussen ras en klas en hul impak op LVB in die Suid-Afrikaanse geval. Daar is eweneens gevind dat klas en LVB hoogs gekorrileerd is vir die aangeduide periode – die self-geidentifiseerde Laer Klas het merkbaar laer LVB in vergelyking met die relatiewe hoë LVB van die self-geidentifiseerde Hoër Klas. Dit word voorgestel dat verbeterde opvoeding vlakke en welsyns voordele ‘n rol speel in die verbetering van individueë se LVB, veral in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Die bevinding van hierdie studie kan gebruik word om toekomstige navorsing met betrekking tot klasverskille te begrond, vernaam studies wat sielkundige dimensies van self-geidentifiseerde klasgroep of die sielkundige bepalers van klas mobiliteit ondersoek.

Within recent literature, internal locus of control (LOC) has been correlated with self-efficacy and improved coping after injury. Service connection (SC) has been linked to well-being after trauma. Level of injury has been associated with physical ability and limitations. This study examines how depression and QOL are associated with LOC and SC for veterans diagnosed with spinal cord injury (SCI). It was hypothesized that internal LOC and SC would correlate with higher QOL and decreased depression. Participants included 58 veterans, 30 diagnosed with paraplegia and 28 with quadriplegia. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Rotter's Internal-External Scale of LOC, the Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale. Medical records were reviewed for SC. Generalized linear model regressions were run using LOC, SC and level of injury to estimate QOL and depression. Locus of control was a significant predictor of QOL, F=2.961, p=.045, while SC approached significance at F=2.082, p=.077. Locus of control approached significance as a predictor for depression, F=1.977, p=.083 level. Level of injury was not a significant factor for either outcome variable. Follow-up analyses including time since injury (TSI) indicated that the interaction of LOC and TSI was a significant predictor for QOL, F=5.320, p=0.013, and the interaction of SC and TSI was a significant predictor for depression, F=9.800, p=0.002. A significant correlation was found between depression and QOL, r=-.472, p=.000. A significant correlation was found between LOC and TSI, r=-.277, p=.018. Results indicate that internal LOC, SC, and increased TSI are positively associated with improved QOL and lower depression. The negative correlation between LOC and TSI indicates that LOC may be a mutable personality factor that adjusts from being external to internal to improve coping after disability, or those with an internal LOC are more consistent with treatment over time. The negative correlation between depression and QOL indicates that participants endorsing depression perceive having a lower QOL. These findings have important implications for health psychology, as they indicate that increasing internal LOC and access to health care over time can promote lower depression and higher QOL for SCI patients.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att bidra med ökad empirisk kunskap om psykologiska mekanismers betydelse för att förklara variansen i människors politiskt deltagande och politiska orientering. Detta genom att undersöka sambandet mellan 9566 deltagares upplevda kontroll och deras politiska orientering samt grad av politiska deltagande. Det psykologiska konceptet upplevd kontroll myntades av Rotter (1966) och undersöker i vilken grad människor uppfattar sig ha kontroll över händelser i livet. En persons kontroll över händelser kan vara intern, stor kontroll över situationer omkring sig, eller extern, liten makt över händelser i livet. Resultaten visade på att det fanns ett signifikant samband mellan deltagarnas upplevda kontroll och politiska deltagande samt politiska orientering. Personer med upplevd intern kontroll deltog mer politiskt, placerade sig mer högerut på en vänster-höger skala samt var mer högerorienterade i sin uppfattning om ekonomisk politik. Personer med upplevd intern kontroll var också mer positivt inställda till en öppnare invandringspolitik och en mer aktiv miljöpolitik.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the research project reported below, the researcher investigates the shortterm effect. of a life skills program, Free to Grow, on the self-concept and locus of control of juvenile offenders in the Allandale-prison, by means of the following questionnaires: the Greeff Self-concept Questionnaire, the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children and the Desired-Undesired Eve.nts Locus of Control Scale. The life skills program is based on experiential learning principles and focusses on self-development and the acquisition of a wide spectrum of social skills. The 21 subjects participating in the project were divided into two groups: The experimental group consisting of 11 subjects participated in the program over a two week-period for altogether 32 hours, while the remaining 10 subjects formed the control group. The most important findings of the study were that the program participants' self-concept showed no statiscally meaningful improvement, but their locus of control as measured by the Nowicki Strickland Locus of Control Scale for children, made a statistically meaningful internal shift. The study concludes with important recommendations for follow-up studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die onderstaande studie is die korttermyneffek van 'n lewensvaardigheidsprogram, Free to Grow, op die selfkonsep en lokus van kontrole van jeugoortreders in die Allandale-gevangenis ondersoek met behulp van die volgende vraelyste: die Greeffselfkonsepvraelys, die Nowicki-Strickland Lokus van Kontrole Skaal vir Kinders en die Wenslike en Onwenslike Gebeurtenisse Lokus van Kontrole Skaal. Die program is gebaseer op eksperensiële leerbeginsels en fokus op selfontwikkeling en die aanleer van 'n wye spektrum van sosiale vaardighede. Die 21 subjekte wat aan die projek deelgeneem het, is in twee groepe verdeel: Die eksperimentele groep bestaande uit 11 subjekte het oor 'n periode van twee weke vir altesaam 32 uur die program deurloop, terwyl die oorblywende 10 subjekte die kontrolegroep gevorm het. Die belangrikste bevindings van die studie was dat die programdeelnemers se selfkonsep nie statisties betekenisvol verbeter het nie, maar dat hulle lokus van kontrole, soos gemeet deur die Nowicki-Strickland Lokus van Kontrole Skaal vir Kinders, wel statisties beduidend meer intern geword het na afloop van die program. Die studie word afgesluit met belangrike aanbevelings vir opvolgstudies.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Work is seen as an integral part of the existence of human beings. Workers' full potential is needed on every level in organisations. Job dissatisfaction is often 1inked to behavioural patterns such as employees not being punctual and being conspicuous by their absence, high labour turnover and aggression; whilst job satisfaction is reflected in the positive behavioura1 patterns and attitude towards the organisation. Organisations in the competitive market benefit greatly if its employees' job satisfaction is increased. Recent research has indicated that factors within an individual (dispositional factors) do influence job-related outcomes. In the current study attention is given to the possible relationship between a dispositional factor (locus of control) and job satisfaction. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between locus of control and job satisfaction of emptoyees in a training centre. The literature study focused on conceptualising locus of control and job satisfaction and the relationship between locus of control and job satisfaction. A survey design was used to test the hypotheses of the research. Each individual in the subject group was tested on two variables simultaneously and the connection between the measurements that were obtained, was established. The survey group consisted of 76 employees from a training centre. Two questionnaires were used in this research, name1y the Locus of Control questionnaire and the Minnesota Satisfaction questionnaire. ·With regard to the level of job satisfaction of employees in the training centre, the employees indicated dissatisfaction with regard to opportunities for promotion, authority, company policy, the remuneration that they receive, social status as we" as acknowledgement. Job satisfaction is experienced with regard to moral values, social service, working conditions, performance and activity. The empirical study indicated correlations between sub-scales of job satisfaction and locus of control of empoyees. The main objective of this study was successfully achieved. Conclusions and recommendations for further research were made based on the results of the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verband tussen 101<us van beheer en werkstevredenheid in -In opleidingsentrum. Werk word as 'n onontbeerlike aspek en 'n noodsaaklike deel van die mens se totale bestaan en voortbestaan beskou. Werknemers se volle potensiaal word op alle vlakke binne organisasies benodig. Gedragspatrone soos 'n gebrek aan stiptelikheid, hoë arbeidsomset, afwesigheid en aggressie hou verband met werksontevredenheid, terwyl werkstevredenheid 'n invloed uitoefen op die algemene gedragspatrone wat 'n positiewe organisasie-oriëntasie aandui. Organisasies in markgerigte mededinging kan daarby baat indien werknemers se tevredenheidsvlakke verhoog word. 'Resente navorsing het bevind dat faktore binne die individu (disposisionele faktore) werksverwante uitkomstes beïnvloed. In die huidige navorsing val die klem op die moontlike verband tussen 'n disposisione1efaktor (lokus van beheer) en werkstevredenheid. Die doelstelling van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal of daar 'n verband tussen lokus van beheer en werkstevredenheid van werknemers in 'n opleidingsentrum bestaan. In die literatuurstudie is gefokus op die konseptualisering van werkstevredenheid en lokus van beheer asook die verband tussen lokus van beheer en werkstevredenheid. 'n Opname-ontwerp is gebruik om die hipoteses van die navorsing te toets. Elke individu in die ondersoekgroep is op twee veranderlikes op dieselfde tydstip gemeet, en die verband tussen hierdie verkreë metings is bepaa1. Die ondersoekgroep het uit 76 werknemers in 'n opleidingsentrum bestaan. Twee vraelyste is in hierdie studie gebruik, naamlik die lokus van Beheervraelys en die Minnesota Tevredenheidsvraelys. Die resultate toon aan dat werknemers in die opleidingsentrum werksontevredenheid ervaar ten opsigte van bevorderingsgeleenthede, outoriteit, maatskappybeleid, vergoeding, sosiale status asook erkenning. Werkstevredenheid word ervaar ten opsigte van morele waardes, sosiale diens, fisiese werksomstandighede, prestasie en 1aastens die ge1eentheid om te al1etye besig te bly. Die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek toon verder dat daar wel 'n verband bestaan tussen subskale van werkstevredenheid en 'n werknemer se lokus van beheer. Die betanqrikste doelstellings van hierdie studie is suksesvol bereik. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word op grond van die resultate van die ondersoek gemaak.

<p>Karriärcoaching är en tjänst som ökat kraftigt på den svenska marknaden. Tidigare studier inom området har visat att en stark självkänsla stärker en persons hälsa och underlättar för denne att hantera problem. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om karriärcoaching har någon påverkan på prestationsbaserad självkänsla, känslan av kontroll (Locus of Control) samt självbemästring av tankar och känslor (Self-Efficacy). Genom en enkätundersökning har en grupp som genomfört karriärcoaching jämförts med en kontrollgrupp som ej genomfört karriärcoaching. Ett oberoende t-test gav en signifikant skillnad i Locus of Control (p<.05). I den grupp som genomfört karriärcoaching fann vi ett negativt samband mellan faktorerna Locus of Control och prestationsbaserad självkänsla (p<.01). En två-vägs ANOVA visade en interaktionseffekt mellan karriärcoaching och kön (p<.01), vilket kan indikera att män kan sänka sin prestationsbaserade självkänsla efter genomförd karriärcoaching och att det finns tendenser att karriärcoaching överlag kan öka en persons Locus of Control.</p>

Syftet med denna studie är att öka förståelsen för studierelaterad stress genom att höra och analysera gymnasieelevers beskrivningar av hur de själva upplever studierelaterad stress. Jag har använt mig av ett fenomenologiskt perspektiv då jag sökt svar på studiens frågeställningar med hjälp av den kvalitativa forskningsintervjun som metod. Resultatet visar att samtliga elever har erfarenhet av studierelaterad stress även om det enbart är kvinnorna som upplever hög grad av studierelaterad stress. Eleverna menar att stressen ofta är självförvållad. Dålig planering och betyg är vanliga stressfaktorer. Eleverna upplever att de själva kan påverka stressen, vilket kan tyda på intern locus of control och hög tolerans mot stress enligt krav-kontrollmodellen. Elevinflytandet är å andra sidan begränsat, vilket tyder på motsatsen. Elevernas studiesituation och välmående påverkas negativt av studierelaterad stress. Eleverna tillämpar både emotionsfokuserad och problemfokuserad coping, men har olika preferenser. Studiens slutsatser är följande: problemfokuserad coping är bättre än emotionsfokuserad coping för att reducera studierelaterad stress, betygshets är kontraproduktivt och höga krav på elever är bra om det kombineras med hög kontroll i form av elevinflytande.

The history of HIV/AIDS dates back to 1985, when it was thought to be a disease affecting animals. Later, HIV/AIDS was regarded as an illness which affected gay individuals. However, research world-wide has shown that HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects everyone irrespective of race, gender, social status and sexual orientation. Research regarding the psychological well-being (coping, sense of coherence, locus of control and general health) of HIV infected persons in the workplace seems appropriate and relevant. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between sense of coherence, locus of control, coping, and general health. A cross-sectional survey design was used to achieve research objectives. For the purpose of this study, an availability sample of (n = 91) HIV infected individuals in the workplace was used. Four questionnaires were employed in the empirical study, namely the General Health Questionnaire, the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Orientation to Life Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, skewness and kurtosis) were used to analyse the data. Pearson correlations and canonical analysis were used to assess the relationships between sense of coherence, locus of control, coping strategies and general health. Approach coping strategies such as active coping, planning, seeking support for instrumental reasons, seeking support for emotional reasons, positive reinterpretation and growth, and acceptance were positively related to a strong sense of coherence and a low external locus of control. Avoidance coping strategies, such as focus on and ventilation of emotions, denial, behavioural disengagement, and mental disengagement were negatively related to sense of coherence and positively related to an external locus of control. HIV infected employees who measured high on planning, low on focus on and venting of emotions, and low on mental disengagement, experienced less anxiety and fewer somatic problems. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Objectives. To see whether a cognitive behavioural guided self-help approach can reduce mental health symptoms, which patients might benefit most, and whether such a treatment increases self-efficacy and internal locus of control. Design. Repeated measures and correlational designs were used. Methods. 173 patients were recruited at a cognitive behavioural guided self-help clinic in Edinburgh, of which 97 completed the three-session intervention. Verbal IQ was estimated with the National Adult Reading Test (NART). Measures of emotional symptoms, self-efficacy and locus of control were taken before and after treatment, with follow-up at one month and six months. Results. Patients completing the intervention made favourable gains, which were maintained at six months. Self-efficacy and locus of control measures were not robustly correlated with mental health improvement, but did show pre- to posttreatment changes in themselves. Conclusions. Guided self-help appears to be a useful treatment option for those with depression, anxiety and stress. The implications of the findings, the strengths and limitations of the study, and areas for future research are discussed.

Miljoner människor har tvingats ur sina hem på grund av det våld som pågår i Mellanöstern. Sättet som omvärlden förhåller sig till den kontext flyktingarna befinner sig i påverkar den fortsatta utvecklingen. Omvärldens attityder till de flyende och flyktproblematiken varierar och har förändrats över tid till exempel här i Sverige. Något som delvis påvekar attityder är hur media rapporterar kring denna kontext. Annat som kan förklara uppkomsten av dessa attityder är psykologiska dimensioner såsom avhumanisering och välmående samt teorier som Belief in a just world och locus of control. Urvalet i tidigare forskning har varit individer i välfärdsländer medan människor med andra erfarenheter som till exempel flyktingar inte har studerats.   Åtta kurdsvenskar med tidigare flyktingstatus intervjuades för att addera information och med hjälp av de nämnda psykologiska teorierna studera deras attityder. Utifrån den tematiska analysen framträdde fem huvudteman: BJW, Locus of control, subjektivt välmående, tidigare trauman, attityder till flyktingar och flyktingfrågan. Deltagarna hade en varierande tro på världen som rättvis. De uttryckte stark egenkontroll och deras subjektiva välmående visade sig positivt trots tidigare trauman där man hade kommit till en accepterande fas. Även synen på flyktingar var varierande med alltifrån liberala och medsympatiserande åsikter till konservativa och exkluderande. Studien bidrar till en mer nyanserad bild av vad flyktingfrågan kan handla om. Det i sig är viktigt i strävan efter jämlikhet och långsiktigare lösningar för att undvika motsättningar och rasism.