GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LOCUS OF CONTROL SCORES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING-DISABILITIES

The present investigation examined gender differences on locus of cont rol scores for students with learning disabilities. Scores from two me asures of locus of control, the adult version of the Nowicki-Stricklan d Internal-External Scale and the Intellectual Achievement Responsibil ity Questionnaire, were compared for 77 boys (M age = 16.3 yr., M IQ = 89.5) and 27 girls (M age = 16.4 yr. and M IQ = 91.2). As groups were of unequal sizes, differences between scores were assessed by an anal ysis of unweighted means, creating a single harmonic mean and homogene ous subsets for all tests. Significant differences were found by gende r on the Nowicki-Strickland inventory. On all assessments girls' means were more external than boys'. These results are discussed in light o f recent findings concerning gender and positive adult outcomes for le arners with learning disabilities and in relation to gender stereotypi ng and discrimination.