INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL AS DETERMINANTS OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ECONOMICS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study determined the relationship between students' internal locus of control and students' academic achievement in Economics. It also examined the relationship between external locus of control and students' academic achievement in Economics in senior secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design of correlational type. The population of the study comprised all senior secondary school students in Osun State, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 500 senior secondary school students selected using multistage sampling technique. The instruments used for data collection were Locus of Control Scale (LCS) and Economics Achievement Test (EAT). The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results showed a significant positive relationship between students' internal locus of control and academic achievement in Economics in senior secondary schools (r = 0.104, p < 0.05). Finally, the result showed there was a significant relationship between students' external locus of control and academic achievement in Economics in senior secondary schools (r = 0.111, p < 0.05). The study concluded that there exists a significant relationship between students' internal locus of control and external locus of control and students' academic achievement in Economics in senior secondary schools in Osun State.