motivational analysis of organizations

RESEARCH ON LOCUS OF CONTROL 1
Research on the behavioral patterns of externals and internals suggests that an internal
locus of control contributes to effectiveness in organizational roles. For example, the
research suggests the following:
1. Externally oriented individuals are more apt to express unrealistic occupational
aspirations (DuCette & Wolk, 1972).
2. Externals are less able to cope with the demands of reality (Phares, 1968).
3. Locus of control affects behavior on the job. Internals take better care of
equipment; indicate more satisfaction with job training; rate higher in work
tolerance; and are more cooperative, self-reliant, and knowledgeable about their
work (Tseng, 1970).
4. In studies of job-seeking behaviors of unemployed individuals, internals were
found to exhibit more self-direction and to accept more responsibility for their
career development (Tiffany, Cowan, & Tiffany, 1970).
5. When appointed as supervisors, internals rely more on personal persuasion,
whereas externals are more likely to use coercive power and threats, thus
indicating the difference in their perceived expectancy of successful influence
(Goodstadt & Hjelle, 1973).
6. Internals tend to pick people with superior or equal ability as partners to
complete a task. Externals are more likely to pick partners of inferior ability and
are less confident of the outcomes when relinquishing their personal control, as
their fate is perceived as largely influenced by powerful others (Ryckmann &
Sherman, 1973).
7. Internals are quicker than externals to adopt innovations and new practices. In
agricultural groups, farmers who used new agricultural practices were found to
be more internal than others. People with small-family-size norms also tend to be
internals (see Pareek & Rao, 1974).
Most of the research indicates that people are handicapped by an external
orientation, by failing to exercise control over their environments. Such people do not
experience the psychological success that enables them to feel satisfied or successful in
their work.
HOW LOCUS OF CONTROL IS DEVELOPED
A person’s locus of control has several antecedents, which may be accumulative or
episodic. Accumulative antecedents are events that occur over a long period of time and
1 The research findings presented in this article are based on a review of the literature by B.D. Reichard, Jr. (1975). A further review of
studies is presented in H.M. Lefcourt (1976).
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The Pfeiffer Library Volume 19, 2nd Edition. Copyright © 1998 Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer