Brief Description

The scale consists of 40 items. The short form was developed based on extensive research involving 1,000 school-aged children between 8 and 18 years old. The Greek adaptation includes 20 statements phrased as simple yes-or-no questions aimed at assessing children’s perceived control over their environment and lives. Children respond with “Yes” or “No,” depending on whether they agree or disagree with each statement.

Purpose

The goal of the scale is to determine whether a child believes that they control life events (internal control) or that events are determined by external forces (external control). According to its developers, the scale is appropriate for children aged 6 to 12.

Scoring Method

Each “Yes” response aligned with external control is scored as 1, while a “No” response is scored as 0. There are no intermediate choices. The total score is the sum of positive responses, with higher scores indicating a stronger external locus of control.

Validity

The scale’s validity is supported by its strong negative correlation with the Bialer Locus of Control Scale, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = –0.76, confirming solid construct validity.

Reliability

The internal consistency of the Greek version, measured using Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.62. While moderate, this value is considered acceptable for research with younger children, given the simplicity and behavioral nature of the items.

Data Analysis and Usage

The Greek version was standardized using a sample of 572 children (237 boys and 296 girls) from 5th and 6th grades in various regions of Greece. The mean total score was 7.98 with a standard deviation of 3.30. The tool is suitable for use in school settings, psychological assessments, and research studies focusing on motivation, self-perception, and children’s behavior.

Key References

Alexopoulos, D., Andreou, E., Maramnios, I., Palikaras, O., Margaritis, O., & Alexopoulou, E. (2001, May). Reliability and validity of the Nowicki–Strickland Internal-External Control Scale for Children. 8th Panhellenic Conference on Psychological Research, Alexandroupoli (Conference Proceedings, p. 150). Democritus University of Thrace.