Date of Award:

5-1993

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Glendon Casto (Committee Co-Chair), Karl White (Committee Co-Chair)

Committee

Glendon Casto

Committee

Karl White

Abstract

The discrepancy between American Indian and Caucasian children in academic achievement is well documented. Theorists suggest a connection between perceived locus of control and the level of educational performance. This study first sought to determine if the factor structure of a measure of the perception of lo cu s of control (Multidimensional Measure of Children's Perceptions of Control) was similar for Caucasian and American Indian (Oglala Lakota) children. Second, the study sought to determine if there were differences between the groups on the MMCPC subtest scores. Finally, the study sought to determine the relationship between locus of control and academic achievement in Oglala Lakota children.

The study found that the factor structure of the MMCPC was similar for both groups. There were significant differences between the responses of Oglala Lakota and Caucasian children on the Powerful Others and Unknown Source of Control subtests of the MMCPC. However, there was no significant difference between the groups on the Internal Source of Control subtest. This is contrary to previous research. An inverse relationship was found between unknown locus of control and academic achievement in the Oglala Lakota group.

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