Effects of Internal Control Training on the Locus of Control of Some School Going Adolescents in Benin City.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of internal control training on the locus of control of selected school going adolescents in Benin City. A sample size of 60 was drawn from two of the 27 co-educational schools in Oredo Local government area of Benin City.
A table of random number technique was used to select subjects for the study. Three instruments were used in the study. Two were used for the pre-treatment selection, the Rotter (1966} Internal • External locus of control scale was used to determine those who had external control orientation needed for the study. The researcher constructed a socio-economic status classification scale to involve at! the three cadres of socio-economic background subjects in the study. That instrument had the A part constructed for self reported sex. This enabled male and female subjects to participate in the study.
The third instrument Rotter (1966) Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale was used for pre and post treatment assessment. Three hypotheses were formulated for the study. A 2x2x3 factorial design was employed for Hie study. Data analysis to test the three hypothesis was based on a 3 way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with pre-test IAR scores as covariate. The following results were found.
1. Internal locus of control training had significant effect on subjects locus control (F = 1971.645. df 1/59, P<.0001). Hypothesis 1 asserting a no significant effect of training on subjects\' locus of control was theretore rejected.
2. Boys\' and girls\' locus of control were not affected differently at post treatment as evidenced in results of ANCOVA computed with post treatment scores. (F = 2.068 with error probability .157) Hypothesis II asserting a no significant sex difference at post-treatment was therefore accepted.
3. There was no significant difference in the locus control of the three levels of socio-economic status subjects after training with (calculated F =0.057 and error probability of 945) Hypothesis III asserting a no significant difference in the effect of treatment on the 3 levels of SES was therefore accepted.
The conclusion that was drawn was that internal control training effected a change in subjects\' locus of control. This remediation was recommended to counsellors for use.


The Nigerian Journal Of Guidance And Counselling Vol. 7 (1) 2000: pp. 153-165