Effects of Gender, Age, Locus of Control, and Self-Esteem on Estimates of College Grades

Abstract

Test scores of four age-groups (<19, 20—24, 25—34, 35+ yr.) of students ( N = 169) on the Rotter I-E Locus of Control Scale, Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were correlated with the students' accuracy in estimating their final course grades. Analysis showed that a combination of either high school self-esteem and internal control (females, 35+ yr. of age) or low school self-esteem and an external locus of control (18- and 19-yr.-old males) were associated with similar unrealistic estimates of classroom grades.