LOCUS-OF-CONTROL PATTERNS IN WOMEN ASPIRING TO NONTRADITIONAL PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN LAW AND PHARMACY AND WOMEN ASPIRING TO MORE TRADITIONAL PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN NURSING AND TEACHING (WOMEN PROFESSIONALS).
Contributors: California School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 230
Subjects: Psychology, Clinical.; Psychology, Industrial.; Women's Studies.
Description: Locus of control patterns were examined in Professional women in traditional and nontraditional careers utilizing the ZORLOC as the primary multidimensional assessment instrument. Women in traditional careers of Nursing and Elementary School Teaching were examined in comparison with women in nontraditional fields of Law and Pharmacy. These two groups of women (traditional-nontraditional) were examined on the internal locus of control dimensions of Ability and Effort, and the external locus of control dimensions of Chance, Powerful Others-Passive, and Powerful Others-Manipulative. The dimension of one's Willingness to Risk was also examined. Subject's endorsement of masculine or feminine traits utilizing the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, and the influence of social desirability utilizing the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were also examined.

The MCSD was found to be significantly related to several dimensions of the ZORLOC for the entire sample. Analysis of ZORLOC responses found the Law students more Willing to Risk than both the Pharmacists and the traditional group. The nontraditional women were found to perceive success as a result of Ability significantly more than the traditional women. Both groups were found to be less likely to perceive their efforts or abilities as reasons for failure. The traditional group was not more external in their locus of control beliefs despite a stronger need for positive self-presentation. Additionally, the subjects were less likely to perceive success or failure as the result of the manipulation of powerful others. In assessing masculinity/femininity, the Law students endorsed significantly more masculine traits than both the Pharmacists and the traditional group. The traditional group endorsed more feminine traits. Masculinity/femininity endorsements correlated with ZORLOC dimensions similar to social desirability response patterns. The degree of masculinity/femininity was found to be related to external ZORLOC dimensions for the traditional group. A relationship was found between Willingness to Risk and one's level of religiosity. Findings suggest that women may hold different private beliefs about themselves, their lives, and their future than they outwardly present.

The ZORLOC has clinical and practical implications for Professional women as they struggle with changing cultural demands and shifting roles.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-04, Section: B, page: 2205.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - LOS ANGELES, 1993.

School code: 0068.