Investigation and comparison of learning styles and locus of control of academic groups of students

This research was to investigate and compare of learning styles and locus of control in academic groups (human science, basic science, engineering and medical science( of undergraduate students.it is a casual- comparative study through which 364 students of Tabriz university selected by ratio stratified random sampling. Kolb’s learning styles inventory and the Rotter’s locus of control were completed. The data were analyzed using chi- square, One- Way ANOVA and t- test. The results indicate that the learning style was accommodator for human science, convergent for basic science, divergent for engineering and assimilator for medical science. Moreover the locus of control of students, who had accommodator learning style, was more external in comparison with other academic groups. The locus of control of engineering students in comparison with other academic groups and medical science students in comparison with human science was internal. Also medical students in comparison with human science students were more internal .Moreover boys had assimilator and girls had divergent learning style. The locus of control of boys was more internal in comparison with girls.
Understanding and awareness of both learning style and locus of control played an important role in determining and predicting of students educational and vocational success. Besides educational authorities should provide programs and curriculum with witch learning style would be appropriate with students’ academic field. Guidelines for using appropriate internal and external locus of control and changing incompatible attribution to promote empowerment, self-esteem and successful educational experience is necessary.