Internal-external control as a determinant of amount of social influence exerted.

Abstract

Internally vs. externally controlled Es were used in the attempt to change female S's expressed attitudes on various issues. Prior to the experiment, Ss had filled out an attitude questionnaire. Es read from standard instructions in their attempt to influence Ss. As hypothesized, internally controlled Es were able to induce significantly greater changes in expressed attitudes than were externally controlled Es. Control Ss who merely filled out the questionnaire the 2nd time without any attempted influence showed changes equal to those Ss run by externally controlled Es. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)