Purpose Statement
The locus of control
scale has two components. One, high scores reflect a belief and expectation
that: "What I do can make a decisive difference and therefore I should and
will make the effort."
Research on "internal locus of control" has found that this
expectation is associated with higher grades, higher income, better
psychophysical health, and more active, leadership involvement in community and
political affairs.
This scale also assesses the extent to which one can focus, concentrate, delay
gratification, persevere and work on long-term goals and plans. Self-control is
associated with a stronger sense of purpose, study habits, time management,
problem solving, health habits, emotional resiliency, optimism, active
classroom participation, self-expression and self-actualization. If growth in
adulthood is a matter of conscious choice, then intentionality and self-control
are central to this process.
Description of Activity
This is a
self-assessment classroom activity that provides immediate feedback to the
student. It also provides a structured opportunity for the instructor to follow
up with a focus on students taking "ownership" and responsibility for
their classroom experiences.
Materials Needed
Personal Habit Scale #
4 - Self-Control - Intentionally
Please rate the extent to which the following statements describe how you are
as a person. There are no correct or incorrect answers; so just respond by
circling the number in the column that is true for you. Thank you.
The statement describes me: Quite Well A Little
Very Accurately Somewhat Not At All
1. I can easily shut out distractions when I need to concentrate. 4 3 2 1 0
2. Once I start something, I tend to stick to it and I finish most things that
I start. 4 3 2 1 0
3. I know how to say "no" when I have to, to be assertive & set
limits. 4 3 2 1 0
4. I reward myself after, not before, accomplishing a goal or piece of work. 4
3 2 1 0
5. I can put aside short-term rewards for long-term goals. 4 3 2 1 0
6. When faced with a problem, I like to deal with it as soon as possible. 4 3 2
1 0
7. I think about what I want before I act or react impulsively. 4 3 2 1 0
8. I can completely focus myself on a task when I need to. 4 3 2 1 0
9. I can postpone my personal gratification for a greater goal. 4 3 2 1 0
10. I can accomplish what I need to when I put my mind to it. 4 3 2 1 0
____ + ____ + ____ + ____ + _____ =
Self-Control-Intentionality: focus, delay of gratification, self-disciplined
& self-directed; internal locus.
Score Interpretation: 0 ________________ 10 ________________ 20
__________________ 30 _________________ 40
Mean = 27 Extremely Very Low Average High Very
s.d. = 6 Low Low Normal = 27 Normal Strong
Self-control
Application
The scale can be
administered, answered and scored in about 5 to 7 minutes. An interpretive
guide is provided at the end of the scale in the "materials" section.
The instructor can also focus on one or another item from the scale, or on the
overall implications of the scale for brief classroom discussions.
this web page was created
on 11/2/99 at 2:16:42 PM
and modified on 11/16/99 at 11:33:11 AM