Internal vs External Locus of Control and the Use of Self-Reinforcement

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
All Ss received training on a verbal discrimination task with E reinforcing correct responses. After training to a 60% criterion E ceased administering reinforcement and Ss were instructed to reinforce themselves after correct responses. Ss were divided into internal and external locus of control groups; during the self-reinforcement phase, half of each group received the same stimuli as during training and half received a generalization set. There were no differences between internals and externals in total self-reinforcement used or in its correctness. Internals made fewer correct responses and gave more incorrect self-reinforcement despite a lack of differences in initial learning. Results and implications were discussed in terms of the identification and establishment of reinforcement contingencies by the two locus of control types.

This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit: