Locus of control refers to the extent to which people feel that they have control over the events that influence their lives. Show
When you are dealing with a challenge in your life, do you feel that you have control over the outcome? Or do you believe that you are simply at the hands of outside forces? If you believe that you have control over what happens, then you have what psychologists refer to as an internal locus of control. If you believe that you have no control over what happens and that external variables are to blame, then you have what is known as an external locus of control. Your locus of control can influence not only how you respond to the events that happen in your life, but also your motivation to take action. If you believe that you hold the keys to your fate, you are more likely to take action to change your situation when needed. If on the other hand, you believe that the outcome is out of your hands, you may be less likely to work toward change. Press Play for Advice On Reducing WorryHosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to stop focusing on things you can't control. Click below to listen now.
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Spotify / Google Podcasts What Is Locus of Control?"A locus of control orientation is a belief about whether the outcomes of our actions are contingent on what we do (internal control orientation) or on events outside our personal control (external control orientation)," explained psychologist Philip Zimbardo in his book Psychology and Life. In 1954, psychologist Julian Rotter suggested that our behavior was controlled by rewards and punishments. The consequences of our actions helped determine our beliefs about the likely results of future behaviors. Our anticipation of certain results influences our behaviors and attitudes. In other words, an individual is more likely to pursue a goal if they have been rewarded for similar efforts in the past and believe that they can influence their chances of future success. In 1966, Rotter published a scale designed to measure and assess external and internal locus of control. The scale utilizes a forced choice between two alternatives, requiring respondents to choose just one of two possibilities for each item. While the scale has been widely used, it has also been the subject of considerable criticism from those who believe that locus of control cannot be fully understood or measured by such a simplistic scale. Internal vs. External Locus of ControlIt is important to note that locus of control is a continuum. No one has a 100% external or internal locus of control. Instead, most people lie somewhere on the continuum between the two extremes. These are characteristics of people with a dominant internal or external locus of control.
Internal Locus of Control
External Locus of Control
What Role Does Your Locus of Control Play in Your Life?Internal locus of control is often used synonymously with "self-determination" and "personal agency." Some research suggests that men tend to have a higher internal locus of control than women while others suggest the opposite: that women have greater internal locus of control in comparison. Other research reports a shift towards more internal locus of control as people grow older. Experts have found that, in general, people with an internal locus of control tend to be better off. However, it is also important to remember that internal locus of control does not always equal "good" and external locus of control does not always equal "bad." In some contexts, having an external locus of control can be a good thing—particularly when a situation poses a threat to self-esteem or is genuinely outside of a person's control. For example, a person who loses a sports game may feel depressed or anxious if they have a strong internal locus of control. If this person thinks, "I'm bad at sports and I don't try hard enough," they might allow the loss to affect their self-image and feel stressed in future games. However, if this person takes an external focus during such situations ("We were unlucky to get matched with such a strong team," or "The sun was in my eyes!"), they will probably feel more relaxed and less stressed. Do You Have an External or Internal Locus of Control?Where does your locus of control fall on the continuum? Read through the statements below and select the set that best describes your outlook on life. Outlook 1
If the statements above best reflect your view on life, then you probably tend to have an external locus of control. Outlook 2
If the statements above best reflect your outlook on life, then you most likely have an internal locus of control. A Word From VerywellYour locus of control can have a major impact on your life, from how you cope with stress to your motivation to take charge of your life. In many cases, having an internal locus of control can be a good thing. It means that you believe that your own actions have an impact. If you tend to have more of an external locus of control, you might find it helpful to start actively trying to change how you view situations and events. Rather than viewing yourself as simply a passive bystander who is caught up in the flow of life, think about actions you can take that will have an impact on the outcome. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! Which concept refers to the degree to which a person generally considers oneself responsible for the things that happen to them?The self-concept is a general term used to refer to how someone thinks about, evaluates or perceives themselves.
Which term refers to the degree to which people accept as normal and unequal distribution of power?power distance. The extent to which people accept as normal an unequal distribution of power. ethics.
What is a person's beliefs about his or her capabilities to perform a task?Self-efficacy is a person's belief about his or her capabilities to perform tasks or assignments that can change and transform his or her life. It determines how the person feels, thinks, behaves and motivates themselves.
What is the fit between an individual's values beliefs and personality and the values norms and culture of the organization?person-organization fit is the fit between an individual's values, beliefs, and personality and the values, norms, and culture of the organization. person-vocation fit is the fit between a person's interests, abilities, values, and personality and a profession.
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