Relationships between Locus of Control and Instrumentality Theory Predictor of Academic Performance

Abstract

Relationships between locus of control and components of an equation of instrumentality theory for predicting academic performance were examined. It was demonstrated that: (a) locus of control significantly correlated only with the Expectancy component, such that internals tended to perceive a stronger relationship between individual effort and academic performance; (b) locus of control moderated the relationship of instrumentality predictor and performance, with significant prediction being achieved for internals but not externals; and, (c) internals evidenced somewhat less fluctuation in perceptions of Expectancy over time.