Control and Expectancy: Locus of Control as a Predictor of Psychological Entitlement

Utilizing Vroom’s (1964) Expectancy Theory as a foundation, we suggested that locus of control has a significant impact on psychological entitlement. An additional hypothesis suggested that self-monitoring moderates the relationship between external locus of control and entitlement. After analyzing data from 173 participants, results provide strong support for the assertion that internal locus of control is a negative predictor of entitlement perceptions, while external locus of control increases entitlement beliefs. Results addressing the moderation hypothesis also show that there is a significant interaction between external locus of control and self-monitoring, such that higher levels of self-monitoring strengthened the external locus of control to entitlement belief relationship. These findings provide insight into the entitlement formation process and provide guidance for future research aiming to produce a comprehensive model of entitlement formation.