Preliminary study of effect of decision making on locus of control among prison inmates

To study the effect of teaching decision-making to inmates in a maximum security facility on locus of control 19 adult male inmates who were incarcerated at a community correctional center were pre- and posttested on the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. In this preliminary study there was no statistically significant difference at pretest or posttest so teaching decision-making skills in group settings versus teaching in a group combined and one-to-one contact did not affect locus of control as measured. This personality trait appears stable over time and a more thorough means of intervention is required to effect change.