Three studies that measured the extent to which college students differed in the amount of control they experienced in situations relating to nuclear war and in ordinary life situations such as school, community, and home are described. In the first study, 91 college-level psychology students viewed the television film "The Day After," and 26 did not. The students were given a modified form of the Tiffany Experienced Control Scales (ECS) on the Friday prior to the Sunday night airing of the film and again following the presentation. Studies II and III were conducted to evaluate whether experienced control with regard to ordinary life stiuations changed over time (in 1984) with the same subjects or different subjects of the same age. Again the ECS were administered. Findings concerning changes in the internal and external locus of control are presented. (RM)