Belief in infernal control or belief in a just world: The use and misuse of the I-E scale in prediction of attitudes and behavior' Miron Zuckerman, University of Rochester, and Kathleen C. Gerbasi, Medaille College The construct of Internal-External (I-E) locus of control deals with the extent to which one believes that reinforcements are a function of one's behavior (internal) or a function of luck, power- ful others, etc. (external). The most widely used measure of individual differences in locus of control is Rotter's I-E Scale (Rotter, 1966). Since its introduction (Phares, 1957), the I-E construct has been the focus of extensive research. According to a recent estimate (Rotter, 1975), there have been over 600 stud- ies on some aspect of locus of control. A long list of behavioral and attitudinal correlates of the I-E construct has been presented in several recent reviews (Joe, 1971; Lefcourt, 1966, 1972, 1976; Phares, 1976). Research can contribute to a greater understanding of the I-E construct, particularly if the empirical evidence is consistent and well integrated within a theoretical framework. One has the sense, however, that the I-E Scale has been frequently used for no reasons other than its popularity and availability. Conse- quently, since its introduction, the concept of locus of control has been extended to examine interpersonal, social, and political variables that were not initially conceived to be relevant to belief in internal-external control. Furthermore, this approach has led to the conceptualization of the I-E construct as a pervasively 1. The audiors are grateful to Herbert C. Fink and William E. Wilkins for proviciing their data for additional analyses reported in the present paper. An anonymous reviewer and the editor of the journal made helpful suggestions for the revision of this paper. Requests for reprints should be sent to Miron Zucker- man, Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627.