This paper applies a developmental perspective to locus of control studies. Contingency awareness established during infancy and early childhood is viewed as the basis for the development of locus of control expectancies. Expectancies of contingent reinforcement involve a cognitive component and can be viewed in Piagetian terms as the development of schema through processes of assimilation and accommodation. Research indicates that the responsiveness of an infant's environment is positively correlated with measures of cognitive performance. An individual's belief that he can affect his environment may begin in infancy. Parents, other adults, siblings and even the inanimate environment may affect the development of locus of control as they respond to the infant's needs, demands, and behaviors by providing response contingent stimulation. Research also indicates that children's psychological and cognitive development is negatively correlated with social environments which provide excessive amounts of noncontingent stimulation. Among the recommendations offered, adults should provide contingent stimulation rather than overstimulation. They should adopt an authoritative style of interaction which challenges children after compliance and involved fewer terminating commands, and they should avoid authoritarian and permissive styles of interaction. (Author/RH)