Abstract
An intervention program designed to facilitate psychological growth in middle-aged women was implemented and evaluated. Specifically, the study examined the program's effects on the participants in the areas of assertiveness, externality, and self-actualization at the end of the program and five months later. The results showed significant increases in assertiveness and self-actualization in the women at the posttest and five months later. There was no change in locus of control; most of the women were internally oriented at the pretest and remained the same over time.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Damm, V. Overall measures of self-actualization derived from the Personal Orientation Inventory. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1969, 29, 977–981.
Eason, J. Life style counselling for a reluctant leisure class. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1972, 51, 127–132.
Friedan, B. The feminine mystique. New York: Dell, 1963.
Gambrill, E. D., & Richey, C. A. An assertive inventory for use in assessment and research. Behavior Therapy, 1975, 4, 75–86.
Jakubowski-Spector, P. Facilitating the growth of women through assertive training. Counselling Psychologist, 1973, 4,(1), 75–86.
Leib, J. W., & Snyder, W. V. Effects of group discussions on underachievement and self-actualization. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 1967, 14, 282–285.
Manis, L. G., & Mochizuki, J. In the field. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1972, 50(7), 594–599.
Maracek, J., & Frasch, C. Locus of control and college women's role expectations. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 1977, 24(2), 132–136.
Rotter, J. B. Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of reinforcements. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43(1), 56–67.
Ryckman, R. M., & Sherman, M. F. Relationship between self-esteem and internal-external control for men and women. Psychological Reports, 1973, 32, 1106.
Seeman, M., & Evans, J. W. Alienation and learning in a hospital setting. American Sociological Review, 1962, 27, 772–783.
Shostrom, E. L. Personal Orientation Inventory: An inventory for the measurement of self-actualization. San Diego, Calif.: Educational and Industrial Testing Service, 1966.
Smith, J. A. For God's sake, what do those women want? Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1972, 51, 133–136.
Vriend, T. J. The case of women. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 1977, 25(4), 329–331.
Wysocki, S. R. Differential effects of three group treatments on self-actualization and attitudes toward the sex roles of women. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1976, 36, 7316A.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McVicar, P., Herman, A. Assertiveness, self-actualization, and locus of control in women. Sex Roles 9, 555–562 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289794
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289794