An investigation of the psychological correlates of weight

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between weight and field dependence - independence, internalexternal control and future time perspective, so that some recommendations could be given to improve weight reduction techniques. It is hypothesized that as weight increases field dependency would increase, external locus of control would increase and future time perspective would decrease. To measure the first two dimansions, already developed scales were used, namely Witkin's GEFT and Rotter's I - E Scale. To measure future time perspective on the other hand, the future section of the Time Questionnaire which is originally developed to measure the suicide potential of depressive patients was modified to measure the future projection of the obese. Senior students of two Technical High Schools for Girls were the subject group. A regression analysis was calculated between weight index and field dependence - independence, internal - external locus of control and future time perspec'cive. According to the results, no significant relationship was found between any of the variables. These resul ts confirom the other findings which suggest that behavioral characteristics of individuals are not determined by their weight levels contrary to Schachter's findings which indicate that obese individuals have certain kinds of behavioral characteristics, that is stimulus bounded.