Control balance theory and exploitation: an examination of contingencies

Using data collected from 460 undergraduate students, this study examines the role of two contingencies (i.e. constraints and sensation‐seeking) in the control balancing process. The findings partially support the link that the control ratio has with deviance (i.e. exploitation). Specifically, this study found that control deficit and the control surplus both have links with exploitation. Further, low constraints and high sensation‐seeking are individual contingencies on the link that the control ratio has with exploitation. Further, low constraints and high sensation‐seeking form a second‐order contingency that allows the control ratio to have its largest link with exploitation.