Sex differences on the Rotter I-E scale

Performed factor and item analyses of the matched scores of 200 male and 200 female undergraduates who completed Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. Factors were similar to those derived in prior analyses. However, males and females responded to different items within the factors, and significant sex differences in responding were found on 8 of 23 keyed items on individual item analyses. Thus, total scores and some factors on the scale may represent different meanings for males and females. Implications for test construction and validation are discussed. (25 ref)