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Publication AbstractsDevelopment of an Aviation Safety Locus of Control ScaleDavid R. HunterAviat Space Environ Med 2002; 73:1184-8 AbstractIntroduction: Individual differences in locus of control have been shown to be associated with differential risk for accident involvement among industrial and hospital workers. Previous research has also demonstrated that pilots are higher on internality than externality. Hypothesis: This study was performed to assess individual differences on a new scale developed to assess locus of control with respect to aviation safety. It was hypothesized that pilots would exhibit higher levels of internality than externality on this new scale. Methods: An existing safety locus of control scale was modified to place the items in an aviation context, and the items were administered to a sample of approximately 480 pilots. Internality and externality subscales were created, and construct validity was assessed by correlating these subscales with measures of resignation and involvement in hazardous aviation events. Results: The subscales exhibited acceptable internal consistency, and were negatively correlated (r = -0.419, p < 0.001). Consistent with previous research, pilots exhibited substantially higher internality than externality. Correlation of the subscales with the measures of resignation and involvement in hazardous events supported the construct validity of the scale. Discussion: Differences exist among pilots on the Aviation Safety Locus of Control scale that may be associated with increased accident risk. In its present form, the new scale might be employed as a self-awareness exercise for pilots or as a covariate in research investigating the effect of other factors on accident involvement.Keywords: LOC, locus of control, pilots, safety, aviation safety, accidents. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 73, Number 12 of the ASEM journal.
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