| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the possibility that the apparent
adjustment of internal locus of control individuals is due to
denial and defensiveness rather than actual adjustment. One
hundred and seventeen subjects(thirty-one internals, fifty-one
internal-externals, and thirty-five externals) were identified
using Rotter's I-E Scale. The dependent measures of state
anxiety and self-disclosure were taken under each of two
experimental conditions. A pre-test(non-stress) condition
allowed for baseline levels of state anxiety and self-disclosure
to be obtained. Following a one week interval, all subjects
were exposed to a post-test(stress) condition which involved an
ego-threatening stress manipulation. The stress manipulation
consisted of GATB and PMT tasks which were impossible to
complete due to the restricted time limit given. The dependent
measures were then taken again. It was hypothesized that all
groups would show significantly less self-disclosure after the
stress manipulation but that only the internal-external and
external groups would report significant anxiety reactivity.
Results were in partial agreement with the proposed hypotheses,
in that internal male subjects did not show significant anxiety
reactivity(F(1,15)=.29,p>.50) while showing a trend towards less
disclosure (not significant). This was not true for internal
females who reported significant anxiety
reactivity(F(1,14)=9.75,p<.01) and showed a trend, though not significant, towards more disclosure. The I-E and E groups both
reported significant anxiety reactivity and showed a trend,
though not significant, towards more disclosure. Unexpected
findings were a low level of self- disclosure for female
internal subjects and a positive relationship between anxiety
and self-disclosure, such that self-disclosure increased with
increasing anxiety. Implications for future research are
outlined. | |
