ANTECEDENTS OF INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES IN LOCUS OF CONTROL OF REINFORCEMENT - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

Theoretical assumptions from Rotter's (1954, 1966) social learning the ory are used to examine evidence for the antecedents of individual dif ferences in locus of control of reinforcement. Children with generaliz ed internal as opposed to external control expectancies report less st ress early in their lives and have parents who treat them more consist ently, grant them greater autonomy, and provide them with a warn, supp ortive relationship. However, most research on this topic is character ized by self-report, cross-sectional, and correlational methodologies that are indirect and do not allow for assessment of cause and effect. As a result, little is known about the development of individual diff erences in locus of control. We suggest the use of observational and l ongitudinal methodologies, an evaluation of possible bidirectionality of influence between parents and children, and a return to Rotter's so cial learning theory for definition and guidance.