Purpose

The MLC was designed to measure the concept of locus of control, also known as the internal-external control of reinforcements. This concept refers to the degree to which a person believes that the reinforcements they receive depend on their own behavior (internal locus of control) or, conversely, are unrelated to themselves (external locus of control). The scale aims to assess internal locus of control as well as two types of external control: (a) control attributed to luck and fate, and (b) control attributed to people who hold power and authority.

Brief Description

The MLC is a three-dimensional locus of control scale consisting of 24 statements/questions, divided into three subscales with 8 items each. These subscales measure internal control and two dimensions of external control—one related to power and authority, and one related to luck and fate. All items in this psychometric tool are rated on a 24-item scale.

Sample

The Greek adaptation was based on a sample of 371 individuals: 247 university students from the University of Crete and the TEI of Athens (average age 21.17 years), and 124 elderly individuals (average age 72.31 years), including both genders (Tzounichaki, 1994; Tzounichaki & Kleftaras, 1998). The MLC was initially translated into Greek and then back-translated into English to ensure the Greek version accurately reflected the original tool.

Scoring Method

The 24 items that make up the MLC are presented together as a set, and responses are given on a six-point Likert scale (0 = strongly disagree, 1 = moderately disagree, 2 = slightly disagree, 3 = slightly agree, 4 = moderately agree, 5 = strongly agree). The subscales are scored separately, with three total scores derived by summing the responses to eight specific items for each:
(a) internal control score (items: 1, 4, 5, 9, 18, 19, 21, 23)
(b) external control score related to powerful others (items: 3, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22)
(c) external control score related to luck and fate (items: 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24)

Validity

The standardization and validity of the MLC were established in the U.S. (Levenson, 1973). All original items significantly distinguished between individuals with low and high scores and showed almost zero correlations with social desirability rating scales. Since the scale was neither constructed nor standardized in Greece, its adaptation was studied and then adjusted to the Greek sample. Factor analysis revealed a multidimensional structure, and orthogonal Varimax rotations confirmed that the factor structure was similar to that found in American and French samples (Kleftaras, 1997; Levenson, 1973). The first factor grouped the items measuring internal control, the second grouped those related to powerful others, and the third grouped those related to luck and fate.

Reliability

The scale demonstrates moderately good internal consistency. Kuder-Richardson reliability coefficients ranged from 0.62 to 0.66, while test-retest reliability coefficients (over a one-week interval) ranged from 0.64 to 0.78.

Main Bibliographic Sources

Kleftaras, G. (1997). Control-related beliefs and depressive symptomatology in a sample of Greek students. International Journal of Psychology and Counselling, 2(1), 17–25.
Levenson, H. (1973). Multidimensional locus of control in psychiatric patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 41(3), 252–259.
Levenson, H. (1974). Activism and powerful others: distinctions within the concept of internal-external control. Journal of Personality Assessment, 38, 377–383.
Tzounichaki, E. & Kleftaras, G. (1998). Comparative study between young and elderly individuals regarding the concept of internal-external control in elderly Greeks. Doctoral Thesis, Université Paris-X Nanterre.
Tzounichaki, E. & Kleftaras, G. (1999). Comparative study between young and elderly individuals regarding the concept of control. Journal d’Ergothérapie, 2(2), 39–55.