Impact of Locus of Control on Emotional Intelligence: A Study of College Students

Aim: To assess student’s locus of control and to identify the impact of locus of control on emotional intelligence among college students. Gender differences were also assessed in the study regarding student’s locus of control.

Study Design: An exploratory research design was used for the study where data were taken from primary sources.

Place of Study: The study was conducted in two coeducational and two girl’s colleges of Chandigarh in the year 2018-19.

Methodology: A sample size of 100 boys and 100 girls (50 students in the age group of 18-24 years from each college) was selected randomly for the study. Data were collected from respondents by using standardized scales viz. Rotter’s Internal-External Locus of Control (Indian Adaptation) and Emotional Intelligence Test. Tabulation of data was done and frequencies were calculated and data was further subjected to statistical analysis through SPSS software.

Results: Based on study findings, out of 200 students, 116 students including both boys and girls have showed external locus of control. From linear regression results, it revealed that managing emotions was positively significant at confidence level 0.1 with external and internal locus of control while empathy was significantly but negatively associated with internal locus of control at 0.1 level of confidence.

Conclusion: It was concluded from results that, most of the sample have more external locus of control followed by internal locus of control. As both the dimensions of locus are significant with managing emotions at 90% intervals. Furthermore, the results for empathy are negative but significant which means that internal locus of control has significant impact on empathy. No significant gender differences were found for locus of control.