This study describes the construction of the Generalized Exectancies Measure (GEM), a 16-item self-report inventory based on social learning theory (Rotter, 1954). The GEM was designed to measure generalized expectancies of reinforcement and punishment. A study of 86 introductory psychology students revealed that the dimensions of the GEM were internally consistent and had convergent and discriminant construct validity with the scales of the Big Five Inventory (BFI: Benet-Martinez and John, 1998).