Dimensionality of Rotter's I-E Scale in a Society in the Process of Modernization

Abstract

A factor analysis is presented of the responses of 170 Brazilian women to a Portuguese version of Rotter's l-E scale. The analysis suggests the existence of two main independent factors, one which could be said to correspond to the original meaning intended for the scale and the other to the concept of fatalism. These results are compared to previous ones, and suggestions are offered to explain differences between the present findings and those of other authors. The importance of prior validation of a measuring device used in research involving cross-cultural comparisons is emphasized.