The Effect of Locus of Control on Choice of Academic Major

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between the personality dimension locus of control and choice of academic major. One-hundred-and-seventeen college students voluntarily responded to a locus of control survey. Based on their academic major, students were placed in three categories: natural science, social science, and professional science. The initial hypothesis was that due to research opportunities, expectation of future education, and rigorous undergraduate coursework, students with an internal locus of control would have a greater tendency towards choosing a natural science major. The data analysis showed there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of frequencies across categories of locus of control and academic major.