Date of Submission

2007

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Christopher Royer, Psy.D., Chairperson

Second Advisor

Donald L. Masey, Psy.D.

Third Advisor

Beth Arburn Davis, Psy.D.

Abstract

This study compared perceived control and locus of control in two groups of reservists with prior active duty military service. Those who served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard were eligible to participate. The subjects were obtained from a Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center where there are over 600 reservists and 24 units available. These reservists are representative of the Navy and Marine Corps reserve population, with the exception of naval aviation. Research has increased during the past decade regarding military culture and dynamics; however, little is known about the effects of military service on perceived control or locus of control. This study focused on these two aspects of cognitive style among prior active duty members. The hypotheses in summation are that early enrollees (those who entered military service immediately following high school) have lower perceived control and an external locus of control. This study utilized two measures to obtain data, the Spheres of Control-3 (SOC-3) and the Perceived Control Across Domains Scale (PCADS). The study did not reveal significant findings between perceived control or locus of control as it relates to time of entry into military service. However, significant findings were found in this sample between the PCADS and the SOC-3. Strong negative correlations appear to exist between these two measures indicating that as perceived control increases, individuals in this population are likely to have an internal locus of control. It appears that there is some overlap between the constructs of perceived control and locus of control.

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