Abstract
Previous studies on locus of control and instructions have been interpreted to support the position of either a social learning theory or an anxiety. 144 college students were separated into locus of control categories based on scores on Rotter's I-E Scale and randomly assigned to receive skill or chance instructions and one of three anagram tasks of varying levels of difficulty. Primary dependent variables were number of correct anagrams and latency to the first response. The ratio of typical shifts to the total number of shifts in expectancy of success served as a third dependent variable. A check on the credibility of the instructions was also performed. The results of the moderate task showed that internals given chance instructions responded faster and solved more anagrams correctly than when given skill instructions. When the credibility of instructions was taken into account, significant differences between the groups were found for only those who did not believe the instructions. Assessment of credibility of instructions provided valuable clarification since disbelief of instructions may account for the results found in earlier research as well.