Beliefs in Internal-External Control of Reinforcement and Participation in Group and Individual Sports
1969 ◽
Vol 29
(2)
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pp. 551-553
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Three groups of 30 12- to 15-yr.-old males, students of California junior high schools, matched for age and IQ, were tested on the Rotter I-E Scale. Group A (school basketball players) were considered to be group sports participants, Group B (gymnasts) individual sportsmen, and Group C non-participants in any school activity. A significant difference in the direction of internal control for group sports participants was noted. Individual sports participants and non-participants were alike in being significantly higher in external control than group players. Further research on the relationship between internal control and self-esteem seems warranted for group sports participants.