Running head: LOCUS OF CONTROL & ROMANCE

LOCUS OF CONTROL AND ROMANCE: A correlation analysis

Students Name

Institution
LOCUS OF CONTROL

Introduction

Locus of control is a concept within the domain of personality psychology that refers to

the extent to which individuals believe that they have some level of control over the general

outcome of certain events in their lives. This is as opposed to the existence of external forces

beyond an individuals control (Carlson et al, 2007). In this study, focus was shifted towards the

determination of specific correlates of romanticism and how they relate to the concept of locus of

control.

The concept of self-determination and locus of control

According to the theory on self-determination, human beings have a perceived locus of

casualty which is external (PLOC). It allows them to have confidence that coerces their actions,

pressures, and initiates their selves. In matters that concern a PLOC, which is internal, people

tend to believe that they are the sustainers and initiators of the actions they are engaged in. There

are people who have extremely high PLOC, and in turn, are quite self determined. They believe

that their behavior is as a result of their interests, values and choices. Moreover, those who have

a PLOC, which is external, claim that their behavior is controlled by external forces, persons or

events (Ryan & Deci, 2000). It should be known that, in internal locus, there is a relationship

that exists with intrinsic motivation. Also, there is a relationship between extrinsic motivation

and external locus. A distinction exists between extrinsic and intrinsic as they as part of what is

known as the Self-Determination Theory. The latter developed during the wake of Conditioning

and Behavioralism, whereby, punishment and reward are based on behavior management. The

Self-Determination Theory mostly focuses on viewing the intrinsic effects from an internal

perspective. There are three needs that bring about satisfaction as identified by the Self-

Determination Theory. They include; Autonomy, which is being in control of ones life, and
LOCUS OF CONTROL

Competence, which is making sure to be successful (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Lastly, is relatedness,

which is ensuring that one always connects with others.

Related literature

A review of literature indicates that very few authors have explored the concept of

personality construct like locus of control and its correlation of with romantic feelings. The work

of Peter (2012) explored the correlation between locus of control, attachment and intimacy in

adult children of alcoholics. The work revealed that lack of intimacy was positively correlated

with avoidance and external locus of control. The work of Tang et al (2004) found a positive

correlation between the love of money and external locus of control. The work of Hazmati and

Parvin (2015) indicated that secure attachment style maintains no relationship with internal

locus of control. Other scholars have reported little impact of internal on romantic feelings,

matrimonial bliss and friendship (Morry & Harasymchuk, 2005; Camp & Ganong, 1997; Hazan

& Shave, 1987; Kobylak et al, 2001 ; Murray et al, 2002; Sanderson & Evans, 2002; Asgharianji,

et al, 2015).

Method

The method used in this study involved the determination of correctional and regression

analysis of locus of control, love and other romance correlates. In the analysis, reversed item

scoring method was used as opposed to the conventional Likert scale scoring. In the formulation

of the questions, self control was included within two sets of questions. One statement endorsed

self-control while the other didnt.

Procedure
LOCUS OF CONTROL

The procedure used in this study involved a pilot study involving 17 3rd year university

students of psychology at the University of Queens. The study involved the use of a reverse

coded Romantic Locus of Control Scale T20. The scoring guide indicated that the scale ranged

from T20LoC_1 T20LoC_10 with T20LoC_1 denoting strongly Disagree (1) while

T20LoC_10 denoting strongly agree. On this scale, a higher average score implies that more

external level of locus of control in regard to romantic relationship is recorded. Lower score

indicate an internal locus of control on romantic relationships. On the, Romantic Locus of

Control Scale T20, only 4 items were reversed coded and they included T20LoC_3, T20LoC_4,

T20LoC_7, T20LoC_10.

Results

The result of the analysis indicates that most respondents had a low or little perceive

locus of control over their romantic relationships. The correlation matrix of the main variables is

shown below;

Correlations

pros T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC T20LoC_
oc _1. _2. _3. _4. _5. _6 _7 _8 _9 10.

prosoc Pearson 1 .020 -.011 -.056 -.040 .093 -.078 -.084 .084 .094 .029
Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .809 .896 .497 .628 .258 .343 .304 .307 .256 .728
tailed)

N 167 152 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson .020 1 .180* -.146 -.003 .175* .253** -.178* .313** .063 -.182*
1. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .809 .027 .074 .971 .032 .002 .030 .000 .445 .027
tailed)

N 152 152 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
LOCUS OF CONTROL

T20LoC_ Pearson -.011 .180* 1 -.009 .032 .133 .015 .037 .221** .180* -.069
2. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .896 .027 .913 .695 .105 .855 .649 .006 .028 .400
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson -.056 -.146 -.009 1 .151 -.129 -.083 .029 -.326** .000 .150
3. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .497 .074 .913 .064 .113 .313 .724 .000 .998 .067
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson -.040 -.003 .032 .151 1 .266** .040 -.009 -.001 -.173* .105
4. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .628 .971 .695 .064 .001 .629 .911 .986 .035 .202
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson .093 .175* .133 -.129 .266** 1 .099 .070 .204* .151 -.174*
5. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .258 .032 .105 .113 .001 .227 .392 .012 .065 .034
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson -.078 .253** .015 -.083 .040 .099 1 -.010 .168* .022 -.189*
6 Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .343 .002 .855 .313 .629 .227 .901 .039 .790 .021
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson -.084 -.178* .037 .029 -.009 .070 -.010 1 -.132 .052 .173*
7 Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .304 .030 .649 .724 .911 .392 .901 .108 .533 .035
tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

N 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson .084 .313** .221** -.326** -.001 .204* .168* -.132 1 .347** -.393**
8 Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .307 .000 .006 .000 .986 .012 .039 .108 .000 .000
tailed)

N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson .094 .063 .180* .000 -.173* .151 .022 .052 .347** 1 -.242**
9 Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .256 .445 .028 .998 .035 .065 .790 .533 .000 .003
tailed)

N 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149

T20LoC_ Pearson .029 -.182* -.069 .150 .105 -.174* -.189* .173* -.393** -.242** 1
10. Correlat
ion

Sig. (2- .728 .027 .400 .067 .202 .034 .021 .035 .000 .003
tailed)

N 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149

*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

The correlation matrix shows that the most significant correlations in regard to romantic

locus of control are as follows. The feeling of having very little control over relationships

(T20LoC_1) is positively correlated with the feeling that finding the right life partner depends on

being in the right place at the right time (T20LoC_2). This is with a Pearson Correlation

Coefficient of .180 (weak positive correlation) and a p-value of 0.027 (highly significant).

Additionally, the analysis revealed that the feeling of having very little control over relationships

(T20LoC_1) is negatively correlated with the romantic finding the right life partner depends on

being in the right place at the right time. (T20LoC_3). This is with a Pearson Correlation

Coefficient of -.146 (weak negative correlation) and a p-value of .074 (highly significant). The
LOCUS OF CONTROL

analysis also revealed that the feeling of having very little control over relationships (T20LoC_1)

is negatively correlated with the romantic feeling that If I put in enough effort, I will more likely

be in a romantic relationship I want (T20LoC_4). This is with a Pearson Correlation Coefficient

of -.0.03 (weak negative correlation) and a p-value of .971 (highly insignificant).

Discussions

The analysis reveals that just like many other romantic correlates, individuals have very

little locus of control on their love lives. Their partners on the other hands appear to be the ones

enjoying the external locus of control on all matters of the heart.

LOCUS OF CONTROL

References

Asgharianji, A et al, (2015).The interrelationship among locus of control, sexual satisfaction and

marital satisfaction. Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 5(2): 60-72

Camp, P. L. , & Ganong, L. H. (1997). Locus of control and marital satisfaction in long-term

marriages . Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human

Carlson, N.R., et al. (2007). Psychology: The Science of Behaviour - 4th Canadian ed.. Toronto,

ON: Pearson Education Canada.

Hazan, C & shave, P (1987), Romantic Love Conceptualized as an Attachment Process, Journal

of Personality and social psychology. vol, 52, p 511 - 524.

Hazmati, M, Parvan, M (2015).Relationship of Attachment Styles and Locus of Control among

Third Year Girls of Secondary School. The International Journal of Indian Psychology 2

(4)

Kobylak, J. C. , & Sande, G. N. (2001). Partner satisfaction does matter to individuals in dating

relationships . Poster presented at the American Psychological Society meeting, Toronto,

Canada.

Morry, M . Harasymchuk, C (2005). Perceptions of locus of control and satisfaction in

friendships: The impact of problem-solving strategies. Journal of Social and Personal
Relationships 22 (2)

Murray, S. L. , Holmes, J. G. , Bellavia, G. , Griffin, D. W. , & Dolderman, D. (2002). Kindred

spirits? The benefits of egocentrism in close relationships . Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 82, 563-681 .

Peter, R (2012). Attachment, locus of control, and romantic intimacy in adult children of

alcoholics: a correlational investigation. Florida Atlantic University Dissertation.

Available online at
LOCUS OF CONTROL

https://fau.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fau%3A4042/datastream/OBJ/view/Attachme

nt__locus_of_control__and_romantic_intimacy_in_adult_children_of_alcoholics.pdf

Ryan, R. & Deci, E. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation,
social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 6878.
Sanderson, C. A. , & Evans, S. M. (2001). Seeing ones partner through intimacy-colored
glasses: An examination of the processes underlying the intimacy goals-relationship
satisfaction link . Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 463-473 .
Tang, T.L.P., Tang, T.L.N., & Homaifar, B.Y. (2006). Income, the love of money, pay
comparison, and pay
satisfaction: Race and gender as moderators. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21, 476-
491.
LOCUS OF CONTROL

Appendix

Correlations

The The
The The The following following
following following following The statements The The statements
statements statements statements following relate to following following relate to
relate to relate to relate to statements perceptions statements The statements perceptions
perceptions perceptions perceptions relate to of people's relate to following relate to The of people's
of people's of people's of people's perceptions romantic perceptions statements perceptions following romantic
romantic romantic romantic of people's relationship of people's relate to of people's statements relationship
relationship relationship relationship romantic s. Please romantic perceptions romantic relate to s. Please
s. Please s. Please s. Please relationship rate t...-5. I relationship of people's relationship perceptions rate t...-10.
rate t...-1. rate t...-2. rate t...-3. If s. Please have often s. Please romantic s. Please of people's Having
Sometimes Finding the I put in rate t...-4. found that rate t...-6. relationship rate t...-8. romantic successful
I feel I have right life enough By taking an what is Conflicts s. Please In my case, relationship romantic
little control partner effort, I will active role going to with my rate t...-7. maintaining s. Please relationship
over what depends on more likely in their happen will partner are My romantic a rate t...-9. I s is a matter
happens in being in the be in a social life, happen in mostly due relationship relationship believe that of hard
my romantic right place romantic people find my romantic to things s work due is largely it is by luck work; luck
proso relationship at the right relationship their life relationship outside my to the plans down to that I met has nothing
c s. time. I want. partner. s. control. I make. luck. my partner. to do with it.

prosoc Pearson 1 .020 -.011 -.056 -.040 .093 -.078 -.084 .084 .094 .029
Correlatio
n

Sig. (2- .809 .896 .497 .628 .258 .343 .304 .307 .256 .728
tailed)

N 167 152 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
LOCUS OF CONTROL

The Pearson .020 1 .180* -.146 -.003 .175* .253** -.178* .313** .063 -.182*
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .809 .027 .074 .971 .032 .002 .030 .000 .445 .027
perceptions tailed)
of people's
N 152 152 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-1.
Sometimes
I feel I have
little control
over what
happens in
my romantic
relationship
s.

The Pearson -.011 .180* 1 -.009 .032 .133 .015 .037 .221** .180* -.069
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .896 .027 .913 .695 .105 .855 .649 .006 .028 .400
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-2.
Finding the
right life
partner
depends on
being in the
right place
at the right
time.

The Pearson -.056 -.146 -.009 1 .151 -.129 -.083 .029 -.326** .000 .150
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .497 .074 .913 .064 .113 .313 .724 .000 .998 .067
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-3. If
I put in
enough
effort, I will
more likely
be in a
romantic
relationship
I want.

The Pearson -.040 -.003 .032 .151 1 .266** .040 -.009 -.001 -.173* .105
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .628 .971 .695 .064 .001 .629 .911 .986 .035 .202
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-4.
By taking an
active role
in their
social life,
people find
their life
partner.

The Pearson .093 .175* .133 -.129 .266** 1 .099 .070 .204* .151 -.174*
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .258 .032 .105 .113 .001 .227 .392 .012 .065 .034
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-5. I
have often
found that
what is
going to
happen will
happen in
my romantic
relationship
s.

The Pearson -.078 .253** .015 -.083 .040 .099 1 -.010 .168* .022 -.189*
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .343 .002 .855 .313 .629 .227 .901 .039 .790 .021
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-6.
Conflicts
with my
partner are
mostly due
to things
outside my
control.

The Pearson -.084 -.178* .037 .029 -.009 .070 -.010 1 -.132 .052 .173*
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .304 .030 .649 .724 .911 .392 .901 .108 .533 .035
perceptions tailed)
of people's
N 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-7.
My romantic
relationship
s work due
to the plans
I make.
LOCUS OF CONTROL

The Pearson .084 .313** .221** -.326** -.001 .204* .168* -.132 1 .347** -.393**
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .307 .000 .006 .000 .986 .012 .039 .108 .000 .000
perceptions tailed)
of people's
N 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 150 151 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-8.
In my case,
maintaining
a
relationship
is largely
down to
luck.

The Pearson .094 .063 .180* .000 -.173* .151 .022 .052 .347** 1 -.242**
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .256 .445 .028 .998 .035 .065 .790 .533 .000 .003
perceptions tailed)
LOCUS OF CONTROL

of people's N 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-9. I
believe that
it is by luck
that I met
my partner.

The Pearson .029 -.182* -.069 .150 .105 -.174* -.189* .173* -.393** -.242** 1
following Correlatio
statements n
relate to Sig. (2- .728 .027 .400 .067 .202 .034 .021 .035 .000 .003
perceptions tailed)
of people's
N 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149
romantic
relationship
s. Please
rate t...-10.
Having
successful
romantic
relationship
s is a matter
of hard
work; luck
has nothing
to do with it.
LOCUS OF CONTROL

*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

Running head: LOCUS OF CONTROL 1

Item1

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_1. Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_1.
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 24 23 4 8 2 61
(Binned) 2 6 9 12 21 2 50
3 0 5 7 18 8 38
Total 30 37 23 47 12 149

Item2

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_2. Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_2.
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 2 6 14 33 6 61
(Binned) 2 1 2 10 22 15 50
3 0 4 2 17 15 38
Total 3 12 26 72 36 149

Item3
LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * R_T20LoC_3 Crosstabulation
Count
R_T20LoC_3
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 20 31 7 2 1 61
(Binned) 2 5 29 9 7 0 50
LOCUS OF CONTROL 2

3 2 13 12 7 4 38
Total 27 73 28 16 5 149

Item4
LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * R_T20LoC_4 Crosstabulation
Count
R_T20LoC_4
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 15 34 8 4 0 61
(Binned) 2 2 29 12 7 0 50
3 7 20 7 3 1 38
Total 24 83 27 14 1 149

Item5

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_5. Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_5.
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 2 23 22 14 0 61
(Binned) 2 1 8 22 17 2 50
3 1 4 8 18 7 38
Total 4 35 52 49 9 149

Item6

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_6 Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_6
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 10 28 12 10 1 61
(Binned) 2 5 17 22 6 0 50
3 1 9 10 15 3 38
LOCUS OF CONTROL 3

Total 16 54 44 31 4 149

Item7

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * R_T20LoC_7 Crosstabulation

Count
R_T20LoC_7
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 3 30 14 11 3 61
(Binned) 2 0 12 21 15 2 50
3 2 4 10 18 4 38
Total 5 46 45 44 9 149

Item8

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_8 Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_8
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 37 20 4 0 0 61
(Binned) 2 10 22 16 2 0 50
3 3 8 10 9 8 38
Total 50 50 30 11 8 149

Item9

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * T20LoC_9 Crosstabulation

Count
T20LoC_9
Neither
agree
Strongly Somewhat nor Somewhat Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 13 23 8 13 4 61
(Binned) 2 2 16 17 11 4 50
3 1 1 11 15 10 38
LOCUS OF CONTROL 4

Total 16 40 36 39 18 149

Item10

LoC_SCALE_Average (Binned) * R_T20LoC_10 Crosstabulation

Count
R_T20LoC_10
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 Total
LoC_SCALE_Average 1 23 26 11 1 0 61
(Binned) 2 2 22 16 7 3 50
3 2 9 6 18 3 38
Total 27 57 33 26 6 149