Locus of Control in Mexican University Students Comparisons by Gender

Abstract

The aim of this research was to compare the profiles of locus of control in Mexican university students. The total sample was of 1537 subjects; 820 women and 717 men, with a mean age of 20.38 years (SD = 1.81) and 20.78 years (SD = 1.94) respectively. The approach adopted in the research is framed within a quantitative approach with a survey descriptive design. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance, followed by the univariate variance analyzes, are the ones who show higher levels of external locus of control in the factors of luck, political power, destiny and interpersonal relationships, while men report higher levels of locus as luck external control, political power, destination and interpersonal relationships. The differences found between men and women regarding the locus of control, suggest that when designing any intervention that aims to strengthen the internal locus of control will have to take into account the gender variable.