Externality (sense of powerlessness), as measured by Rotter's (1966) I-E scale, has been theoretically and empirically associated with low socioeconomic status and a history of insufficient reward. Recently, however, externality among white college students has been increasing. The present study sought to demonstrate the relationship of externality to a variety of measures designed to reflect adherence to new-left ideology. Subjects were 33 males and 39 females randomly selected from the total student population of a highly selective liberal arts college. Subjects were personally contacted by interviewers and responded to a questionnaire containing Rotter's I-E scale, a new-left ideology scale, a check-list of legal and illegal sociopolitical activities, and a drug use scale. Significant positive correlations revealed externality as one component of an interrelated network of new-left beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. The relationships held only for male subjects and for those items on the I-E scale representing beliefs in personal control. Processes by which white male college students, females, and members of minority groups arrive at a sense of powerlessness are discussed in terms of reference-group identification, Rotter's social learning theory, and factors of personal adjustment. (Author)