Locus of Control Differences between Rural American Indian and White Children

Abstract

Fourth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade American Indian and white children were administered the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale. It was predicted that Indians would have a greater tendency than whites to perceive that reinforcements are determined by factors external to themselves. It was also predicted that older children would be more internal than younger children and that Indian girls would be more internal than Indian boys. Support was obtained for all but the third hypothesis.