University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
How Perceived Control Predicts Academic Success
Presenter Hometown
Virginia Beach, VA
Major
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Jonathan S. Gore
Mentor Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Copeland, Cara M., "How Perceived Control Predicts Academic Success" (2020). University Presentation Showcase Event. 35.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2020/undergraduate/35
Abstract
Prior research has found a positive association between locus of control and academic outcomes, but typically these studies define locus of control as a bipolar continuum. New research suggests locus of control is better defined as two independent unipolar constructs, but few researchers have applied this model as a predictor of academic success. The current study analyzes how internal and external loci of control differentially predict academic beliefs and academic behaviors. We hypothesize that internal locus of control will positively predict academic beliefs while external locus of control will negatively predict academic behaviors and both internal and external loci of control will predict GPA. Participants included 150 students from undergraduate psychology courses at Eastern Kentucky University. Participants accessed this study through SONA, an online data collection system, where they completed a survey assessing internal and external loci of control and elements of academic success. This study provides support that internal locus of control predicts academic success more so than external locus of control as well as provides additional support for this new operationalization of locus of control.
Presentation format
Poster
How Perceived Control Predicts Academic Success
Prior research has found a positive association between locus of control and academic outcomes, but typically these studies define locus of control as a bipolar continuum. New research suggests locus of control is better defined as two independent unipolar constructs, but few researchers have applied this model as a predictor of academic success. The current study analyzes how internal and external loci of control differentially predict academic beliefs and academic behaviors. We hypothesize that internal locus of control will positively predict academic beliefs while external locus of control will negatively predict academic behaviors and both internal and external loci of control will predict GPA. Participants included 150 students from undergraduate psychology courses at Eastern Kentucky University. Participants accessed this study through SONA, an online data collection system, where they completed a survey assessing internal and external loci of control and elements of academic success. This study provides support that internal locus of control predicts academic success more so than external locus of control as well as provides additional support for this new operationalization of locus of control.
