Subordinates' Locus of Control and Their Attribution of Leadership

Locus of control is often suggested as a potential influence in the relationship between a superior and a subordinate. Much of this literature focuses on the locus of control of the superior and how that characteristic relates to various outcomes pertinent to interactions between superior and subordinate (Lamude, Daniels, & White, 1987). Given the nature of the concept, it is reasonable that subordinates' locus of control may also be a factor to the extent that it influences the subordinates' perceptions of, and reactions to, behaviors of superiors. As suggested by Calder (1977), the attribution of leadership, i.e., assigning causal responsibility in a task situation to the leader, is influenced by the expectations of subordinates. These expectations may, in turn, be influenced by such individual difference variables as locus of control. As part of a larger laboratory study of intragroup processes, 62 volunteers (37 men, 25 women) were asked to describe on a 7-point scale the extent of agreement with the following statement: I believe that the leader's behavior was the major cause lor our group's performance level (M = 4.0, SD = 1.8). A manipulation check indicated that performance levels were clear to group members. This assessment took place at the conclusion of an experimental group exercise in which subordinates performed tasks under the direction of assigned group leaders. Participants completed Rotter's (1966) Locus of Control Scale as part of a pre-experiment assessment. Scores of subordinates were categorized by defining the upper one-third of the sample distribution as external and the lower one-third as internal. The mean score for attribution of responsibility to the leader for internal scorers (M = 5.6, SD = 1.2) did not differ significantly from that of external scorers (M = 4.9, SD = 1.5; f,, = 1.39). Although locus of control has a certain intuitive appeal as a predictor in research on relationships between superiors and subordinates, it is important that such research include the interactive and situational aspects of this concept

Attribution · Developmental psychology · Locus of control · Perception · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

• Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.

  Julian B Rotter•The Psychological Monographs•1966

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