Date of Award
5-1977
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Thirty-six undergraduate students were selected as subjects according to their scores on the 29-item Rotter Locus of Control Scale. Each subject was placed in either a correct, false systematic, or no feedback condition, and either an autogenic training or no training condition. Each then received four sessions of skin temperature training, some with a biofeedback monitor. The purpose of the study was to clarify the roles of feedback, training, and locus of control orientation in determining if there was a placebo effect in the acquisition of skin temperature control, the average increase for all subjects was 1.840 c. A three-factor factorial analysis of variance revealed one main effect for locus of control and no interaction effects. A post hoc repeated measures test designed to measure relative improvement through the training sessions across locus of control revealed no significant differences between subjects. Supplemental t-tests revealed that internals performed better with autogenic training than externals, and that internals utilized systematic-contingent false feedback better. Reasons were offered for the findings according to differences in arousal level and personality traits, and it was concluded that the locus of control parameter is a critical variable in biofeedback research.
Recommended Citation
Gillman, Tom E., "Unilateral skin temperature control examined across method of training, type of feedback, and locus of control" (1977). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 46.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/46
Comments
vii, 80 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. Bibliography: leaves 70-80.