To further validate the locus of control (LOC) construct and to counterbalance the present tendency in LOC literature to downgrade the external LOC personality, the relationship between LOC and social acceptance or popularity was examined. It was hypothesized that a relationship exists between LOC and social acceptance; and secondly, that a high external LOC score on the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children would be positively correlated with a high acceptance score on Louis Raths' Ohio Social Acceptance Scale. Subjects were 191 children, predominantly white and middle-class, ages 8-13, who were attending a summer camp. The association between LOC and social acceptance was studied by multiple regression analysis with acceptance the dependent variable and LOC the independent variable. Sex and age factors were incorporated into the design as intervening variables, because the LOC literature suggests they are influential. The first hypothesis was accepted when LOC was combined with age and sex to predict social acceptance; but the prediction was mild, suggesting that many factors contribute to popularity (such as intelligence, physical appearance, and name). The second hypothesis was not supported; however, further research is required before totally rejecting the idea that externally controlled individuals are more popular than internals. (Author/CP)