Effects of congruence-incongruence between locus of control and field dependence on self-disclosure

The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of the two personality constructs of field dependence and locus of control on self-disclosure. This area was previously unresearched in terms of examining the utility of these two constructs as predictors of willingness to self-disclose. Subjects were placed into the congruent (field independent-internal; field dependent-external) group or the incongruent (field independent-external; field dependent-internal) group on the basis of scoring either in the upper or lower thirds of the distribution of their scores on the personality measures. The effects of the congruent group were compared to the effects of the incongruent group on total self-disclosure scores on the Self-Disclosure Situations Survey, indicating willingness to self-disclose. A two-way analysis of variance revealed no significant difference between the congruent and incongruent groups on self-disclosure. It was concluded that the congruence - incongruence dimension was not an accurate predictor of willingness to self-disclose. It was-recommended that research be continued using the congruence - incongruence dimension on self-disclosure and that a behavioral measure of self-disclosure be incorporated into the experimental design.Thesis (M.A.