Internal-External Control of Reinforcement Versus Field Dependence-Field Independence
type: CreativeWork
description: Most authors have regarded the concepts of internal-external control and field dependence-field independence as two basically separate dimensions. However, in the area of personality, the two concepts may be related to a considerable degree. A review of the literature suggests that many of the same personality characteristics which can be attributed to internally controlled individuals are also common to field independent people. Also, those characteristics common to externally controlled people are found in field dependent individuals (Cardi, 1962; Franklin, 1963; Crowne & Liverant, 1963; Strickland, 1962; Getter, 1962; Gore, 1962; Elliot, 1961; Witkin, Lewis, Hertzman, Machover, Meissner, & Wapner, 1952*). The initial research concerning locus of control as conceptualized by social learning theory (Rotter; 195^ f I960) explains the perception of reinforcement as being differentially unique to all individuals. For instance, a spanking might be seen as a reward by some children and as a punishment by others. Rotter states that one of the determinants of how an individual reacts to reinforcement is his subjective perception that the reinforcement occurs independent of any of his own actions and is controlled by forces outside of himself. Those individuals who believe that reinforcement is controlled mainly through chance factors in their environment have been labeled externally controlled persons, while those who perceive the event of reinforcement as contingent upon their own behavior are termed internally controlled. The concept of field dependence-field independence was first empirically founded as the result of a series of studies (Asch & Witkin, 1948a, 1948b, 1948c. 1948d) which investigated factors utilized by the individual in establishing an upright position when in the absence of a surrounding visual field. In the earlier studies of the series, Witkin and Asch (1948a, 1948b) learned that by tilting a mirror or the whole room in which a S was enclosed, one co…
abstract: Most authors have regarded the concepts of internal-external control and field dependence-field independence as two basically separate dimensions. However, in the area of personality, the two concepts may be related to a considerable degree. A review of the literature suggests that many of the same personality characteristics which can be attributed to internally controlled individuals are also common to field independent people. Also, those characteristics common to externally controlled people are found in field dependent individuals (Cardi, 1962; Franklin, 1963; Crowne & Liverant, 1963; Strickland, 1962; Getter, 1962; Gore, 1962; Elliot, 1961; Witkin, Lewis, Hertzman, Machover, Meissner, & Wapner, 1952*). The initial research concerning locus of control as conceptualized by social learning theory (Rotter; 195^ f I960) explains the perception of reinforcement as being differentially unique to all individuals. For instance, a spanking might be seen as a reward by some children and as a punishment by others. Rotter states that one of the determinants of how an individual reacts to reinforcement is his subjective perception that the reinforcement occurs independent of any of his own actions and is controlled by forces outside of himself. Those individuals who believe that reinforcement is controlled mainly through chance factors in their environment have been labeled externally controlled persons, while those who perceive the event of reinforcement as contingent upon their own behavior are termed internally controlled. The concept of field dependence-field independence was first empirically founded as the result of a series of studies (Asch & Witkin, 1948a, 1948b, 1948c. 1948d) which investigated factors utilized by the individual in establishing an upright position when in the absence of a surrounding visual field. In the earlier studies of the series, Witkin and Asch (1948a, 1948b) learned that by tilting a mirror or the whole room in which a S was enclosed, one co…
author: Colclough, Robert
keywords: Psychology
date published: 1972-04-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:08:02Z
provider: Western Kentucky University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Western Kentucky University