Locus of Control Orientation and Perception of “Hurricane” in Fifth Graders

Summary

The effects of a natural aversive stimulus (Hurricane Eloise in 1975) on locus of control and perception of the concept “hurricane” were investigated among 463 fifth graders from Title I schools in two coastal cities along Florida's Panhandle. Although both cities were threatened, only one was hit. Of the 269 Ss in the city hit, 184 had fourth grade locus of control scores. The hypotheses were (a) children in the city hit would not show the expected age-related increase in internality; (b) children in the city hit would be more external than children in the city not hit; and (c) children in the city hit would perceive the concept “hurricane” more positively than children in the city not hit, largely because of the effect of the positive view of internals in the city hit. The third hypothesis was supported. The results were interpreted from perceptual defense and aversive conditioning viewpoints. The lack of support for the first two hypotheses is consistent with recent disaster literature on the lack of negative reaction of populations in the aftermath of natural disasters.