Age and Gender Differences in Locus of Contro...

Age and Gender Differences in Locus of Control

Author Name : Dr. Nisha Jaiswal

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to study age and gender differences in locus of control. Rotter’s locus of control Scale was used. There were 200 participants, 100 youth (50 males and 50 females) and 100 elderly (50 males and 50 females). The age group for youth and elderly were 20-30 years (Mean=24.75; SD=3.85) and 60-75 years (Mean=68.32; SD=5.14), respectively. The participants lived in the housing societies in Delhi the capital of India. Results showed elderly to be significantly higher on locus of control than the youth. The whole group was divided into four age groups. Analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the four age groups. Women were found to be higher on locus of control than men indicating that they were more external than men. However no significant gender difference was found. Effect of external and internal locus of control on well being of youth and elderly are discussed.

Keywords: Locus of control - External, Internal, Youth, Elderly