Situation-Specific Expertise and Perceived Control

Abstract

To investigate the influence that situation-specific expertise might have on locus of control, 387 student/athletes completed Rotter's locus of control and the Dahlhauser Sports Locus of Control inventory. Analysis supported the hypothesis that subjects' expertise within a situation-specific environment will yield a locus of control score significantly more internalized than scores on the more general Rotter instrument. The authors conclude that personal expertise must be taken into account in research dealing with the construct of control. Further, research tailored more specifically to the situation is needed.