Internal-External Scale (I-E Scale)

Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80(1), 1-28.



Table of Contents

Description

History of Use

References

Description:

Purpose
The I-E Scale was designed to assess individual differences in beliefs about control of reinforcement. The scale differentiates between a belief in internal control (reinforcement is dependent upon the individual's actions) vs. external control (reinforcement is dependent upon chance or the actions/control of others).
Questions
29 items using forced-choice format
Sub-scales

Domain

Psychometrics

Sample items
  • a) Many of the unhappy things in people's lives are partly due to bad luck. OR b) People's misfortunes result from the mistakes they make.
  • a) In the long run people get the respect they deserve in this world. OR b) Unfortunately, an individual's worth often passes unrecognized no matter how hard he tries.

References:

Scale:
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80(1), 1-28.
Further scale validation:
Gurin, P., Gurin, G., & Morrison, B. M. (1978). Personal and ideological aspects of internal and external control. Social Psychology, 41(4), 275-296.
Uses:
  • Wally, S., & Baum, J. R. (1994). Personal and Structural Determinants of the Pace of Strategic Decision-Making. Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 932-956.
  • Gaskell, G., & Smith, P. (1985). An Investigation of Youths Atrributions For Unemployment and Their Political-Attitudes. [Article]. Journal of Economic Psychology, 6(1), 65-80.doi:10.1016/0167-4870(85)90006-6

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