Study of Locus of Control in Female and Male MSc Students

Abstract

The locus of control reflects whether individuals attribute their success and failure to their own behaviors (internal locus of control) or other people or luck (external locus of control). This study attempted to study locus of control among university students. The population included a total of 6,110 incoming master’s students at 10 major universities across Tehran. The sample consisted of 360 subjects selected randomly from 5 universities. The data were collected through Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale (RLCS). The data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical measures (Pearson correlation, T-test). Individuals with external locus of control tend to be less certain about their ability to influence the future events. One of the important outcomes associated with internal and external locus of control is self-esteem. Any success attributed to external factors such as luck or help from others can create a sense of pride and confidence. The obtained results showed that locus of control was more internalized in male students than in female students. The results further revealed that male students attributed their successes to themselves and considered external factors to be responsible for their failure. However, the results indicated that the opposite was true about the female students since they would assume responsibility for the negative consequences of their actions. According to our results, male students had confidence in their abilities, whereas female students, due to their inbred lack of self-confidence, would constantly wait for confirmation of their actions from their environment.