PERSONALITY FACTORS IN MOTIVATION.
Abstract
This investigation is concerned with two general areas of study. One has to do with the general conditions which make for a perception of external control, chance, fate, etc., and the conditions which lead the individual to seek reinforcements as contingent upon himself. In this area we are also interested in the characteristics of the individual's behavior or changes in him as a result of such a perception, as well as the conditions which produce such a perception. Information obtained along these lines could be of crucial importance in learning theory and in studies of the more complex behavior of man in general. Such knowledge would have wide application in the fields of training, pedagogy, and social behavior. The second broad area of investigation is the area of individual differences. Given the same situation one individual may interpret what happens to him as determined by luck or fate, and another may interpret it as a result of his own ac/ions. Individual differences in such preception might have significant effects on the person's behavior. It might have important implications for problems of efficiency of learning, social behavior, adjustment and psychotherapy, social attitudes, and all interpersonal behavior. In social learning theory the construct of internal vs. external control of reinforcement is regarded as a generalized expectancy, operating across a large number of situations, which relates to whether or not the individual does or does not have control over what happens to him. In sociology alienation can be regarded as a related conception. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 02, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0426514
Entities
People
- Julian B. Rotter
Organizations
- Ohio State University