Locus of Control and Achievement Motivation in the Active Aged (65 Years and Over)

Abstract

The motivational components of continued participation in expressive social situations are thought to be related to each individual's locus of control and achievement motivation. The present study involved an investigation of active participants in a National Championship Tennis Tournament for Seniors (65 yr. and over) and members of the local Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. Scores indicated that these seniors were generally internal, a finding which contradicts Phares' earlier work. Similarly, this sample was not extremely achievement oriented but rather represented a general tendency toward conflict between a desire to succeed and fear of failure. Results are discussed in terms of the Conflict Enculturation Theory of Roberts and Sutton-Smith.