The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between locus of control and achievement in second language learning, when using reading and listening as the measure of success of the learners. The study was conducted on a pilot group of 102 university students, enrolled in a master’s degree course at a  university in Poland. The students were asked to complete the Drwal 29-question test of locus of control and a number of reading and listening tests to complete over an extended period of time in order to gain a reliable overview of their levels of achievement. The results, somewhat against the run of expectation, indicated that there was no apparent correlation-either positive or negative-between the orientation of locus of control of the participants and achievement. This goes against the conventional assumption that there should be some form of negative correlation, as previous research indicates that sucessful learners in an academic environment are more likely than not to have an inwardly orientated locus of control.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of self-esteem and locus of control in generating in the youth an aggressive coping strategy in a social conflict situation. The study made use of a proprietary questionnaire to study the coping strategy of youth in a social conflict situation (KSMK), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and the questionnaire to Study the Locus of Control (KBPK) created by G. Krasowicz and A. Kurzyp-Wojnarska. Empirical studies were carried out in junior high schools [Polish: gimnazjum] in Wroclaw and the surrounding area. They involved 811 adolescents (414 girls and 397 boys) aged 13 – 15. In the light of the performed studies it was stated that low general selfesteem in youth and strong belief in the influence of others on positive or negative effects of events play a particular role in the choice of aggressive strategy of young people to cope in a social confl ictsituation.

The study aims to investigate relationships between various dimensions of locus of control and hope for success. 495 secondary school students aged 14 to 16 (Mage = 15.54, SD = 0.53) were surveyed. Hope for success was measured using Łaguna et al.’s Questionnaire of Hope for Success. Locus of control was assessed using the Questionnaire of Locus of Control. The results indicate that the two variables are interrelated. The present findings can be used in designing educational activities to support secondary school students’ sense of agency.