Julian Rotter

Julian B. Rotter ( born October 22, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, † January 6, 2014 in Mansfield, Connecticut ) was an American psychologist who dealt among other things with the development of a social learning theory and the study of locus of control has.

Life

Rotters psychological interest has developed in his school days when he read the works of Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. He spent his first years of study at Brooklyn College, he received from the University of Iowa his master's degree, and he received his doctorate in 1941 at Indiana University. Each of these universities exercised an important influence on his theory. In New York Rotter attended a seminar series of Alfred Adler. This convinced him that it was important to consider the social context of behavior, as it was perceived by the person. In Iowa and Indiana Rotter was influenced by the Hull Spence'schen behavior theory, just as Skinner's view with respect to the gain for the control of behavior and thus the importance of the situation. Furthermore Rotters theory was strongly influenced by Edward Tolman, who introduced the construct of expectancy in psychology.

During World War II Rotter worked as a military psychologist for the United States Air Force until 1946, he lead the psychological clinic at the State University of Ohio took over. The Ohio State University was one of the largest training centers for clinical psychology in the United States. Besides Rotter George Kelly and Carl Rogers were active in the clinical department.

During this 17- year tenure in Ohio, he developed the essential features of his social learning theory. The first comprehensive presentation was made in 1954.

In 1963 Rotter a chair at the University of Connecticut, where he was active until 1987.

Social Learning Theory

Rotter's social learning theory dealt primarily with the choices made by individuals when they are faced with a number of different alternatives faced. For explanation of such voting behavior Rotter tried in 1954 to integrate two main currents of psychology: the learning theory approach by Skinner and cognitive or field-oriented approach of Tolman and Lewin. This Rotter emphasized a learned social behavior. As a consequence, the psychological situation plays a crucial importance, because expectations are induced by certain situational contexts. In addition, Rotter also assumed that develop on the basis of different learning experiences general beliefs that influence behavior in a specific situation also.

Therefore Rotters Social Learning Theory emphasizes both generalized ( personality traits ) and specific ( situational ) determinants of action, both of which are regarded by him as a product of learning experiences.

Locus of control

Julian B. Rotter in 1966 presented his construct of locus of control ( locus of control ).

The construct locus of control refers to the belief that one's own actions influenced or not influenced the receipt of an amplifier. Because of control beliefs are seen as one of the determinants of success expectancy. It is the conviction of being able to affect the achievement of a goal through our own actions, regardless of the specific nature of the target or of the amplifier.

Gauge

Also in 1966 Rotter has published a questionnaire to capture the ( internal and external ) locus of control in adults (RED -IE). The questionnaire consists of 23 items, each with two possible answers for the test person has to decide.

Example of an item:

• The view that teachers are unfair to their students is nonsense. ( internal locus of control beliefs )
• Most students have no idea of ​​how strongly depend notes of coincidences. ( external locus of control beliefs. )

This questionnaire has been translated into numerous languages ​​, a German standardization lies with the LOC of Rinke and Schneewind of 1978.

Importance

Rotter himself had a huge influence on the psychology, so about 15 of his former students have a chair of clinical psychology in the United States or Canada held.

The Rotter 1966 published monograph on the subject of locus of control was between 1965 and 1975, the third most frequently quoted work.

According Haggbloom Rotter was one of the 100 most influential psychologists of the 20th century. He is ranked 18 with respect to frequency of citation in scientific articles and ranked 64 in the overall incidence.