University of Nairobi students academic performance in the context of locus of control.

Abstract

In a recent definition, “Locus of control is an individual’s belief system regarding the causes of his/her experiences and factors to which the person attributes success or failure”. As a person with internal locus attributes his/her success to his/her own effort and ability. Whereas a person with external locus of control is of the view that success or failure is due to good luck or fate the aim of this study was to explore the. University of Nairobi Students Performance in the Context of Locus of control the sample size comprised 127 females and 97 males, giving a total of 224 university students. Their age ranged from 20 to 55 years. The participants were all taking psychology as a major subject. A questionnaire comprising 25 pairs of statements was used. Each statement had two options for participants to respond to as normally provided for in the Rotter’s locus of control scale. Based on Rotter’s locus of control scale, there emerged both external and internal locus of control participants in uneven proportions. A chi-square statistical analysis was employed. calculation of: x2 test [2df, N224] = 107.6, <p 0.001; which was statistically significant. Thus confirming that, there was a mean significant difference between external-internal locus control participants on their performance based on their locus of control. Specifically, externally oriented participants exceeded internally oriented participants. In conclusion. In general, locus of control is closely related to achievement and success in life. Moreover, people who feel in control of a situation may experience a sense of empowerment. Furthermore, individuals with a high sense of mastery in academic work believe that they can control most aspects of their lives. On the other hand, those who are unable to gain mastery in academic performance or to exert influence over their circumstances may feel a sense of helplessness.