Internal-external control and the attribution of blame under neutral and distractive conditions.

Authors:
  • EPE. Jerry Phares
    E. Jerry Phares
  • KWKenneth G. Wilson
    Kenneth G. Wilson
  • NKNelson W. Klyver
    Nelson W. Klyver
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Abstract
Selected 32 internal and 32 external male undergraduates on the basis of scores on Rotter's Internal-External Control Scale. Ss were then failed on 2 tasks described to them as measuring intellectual functions. 1/2 the Ss were failed under distractive conditions and the others under nondistractive conditions. Following this procedure, all Ss completed a blame-attribution scale. Under nondistractive conditions, internals were significantly less prone to use blaming behavior than (a) externals, and (b) internals in the distractive condition. No significant differences were found (a) between groups in the distractive condition, and (b) between externals in the 2 conditions. Variation in defensive considerations is suggested as an explanation for the latter result. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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