Locus of Control and Your Life

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionInternal vs. ExternalImpactAssessment

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Definition

Internal vs. External

Impact

Assessment

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When you aredealing with a challenge in your life, do you feel that you have control over the outcome, or do you believe that you are at the mercy of outside forces? Your answer to this question refers to your locus of control.

Our locus of control influences our response to events in our lives andour motivation to take action. If you believe that you hold the keys to your fate, you are more likely to change your situation when needed. Conversely, if you think that the outcome is out of your hands, you may be less likely to work toward change.

What Is Locus of Control?

Locus of control is the extent to which you feel you have control overevents that impact your life. Put another way, it 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),” explains psychologistPhilip Zimbardo.

Our anticipation of certain results influences our behaviors and attitudes. In other words, an individual is more likely topursue a goalif 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.This scale utilizes a forced choice between two alternatives, requiring respondents to choose one of two possibilities for each item.

Internal vs. External Locus of Control

If you believe that you have control over what happens, you have what psychologists refer to as an internal locus of control. If you believe that youhave no control over what happensand that external variables are to blame, you have what is known as an external locus of control.

It 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.

Are more likely to take responsibility for their actions

Often do better at tasks when they are allowed to work at their own pace

Usually, have a strong sense of self-efficacy

Tend to work hard to achieve the things they want

Feel confident in the face of challenges

Tend to be physically healthier

Report being happier and more independent

Often achieve greater success in the workplace

External Locus of ControlBlame outside forces for their circumstancesOften credit luck or chance for any successesDon’t believe that they can change their situation through their own effortsFrequently feel hopeless or powerless in the face of difficult situationsAre more prone to experiencinglearned helplessness

Blame outside forces for their circumstances

Often credit luck or chance for any successes

Don’t believe that they can change their situation through their own efforts

Frequently feel hopeless or powerless in the face of difficult situations

Are more prone to experiencinglearned helplessness

What Role Does 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 a greater internal locus of control in comparison.Other research reports a shift toward more internal locus of controlas people grow older.

Experts have found that, in general, people with an internal locus of control tend to enjoy more positive effects, such asgreater emotional stability.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 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 probablyfeel more relaxed and less stressed.

Do You Have an External or Internal Locus of Control?

Where doesyourlocus 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.

Final Thoughts

Your locus of control can have a major impact on your life, fromhow you cope with stressto 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.

How to Take Greater Control of Your Life

9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zimbardo PG.Psychology and Life.Rotter JB.General principles for a social learning framework of personality study. In: J. B. Rotter, ed.,Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. Prentice-Hall, Inc.; 1954: 82-104. doi:10.1037/10788-004Rotter JB.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.Psychol Monogr.1966;80(1):1-28. doi:10.1037/h0092976Kourmousi N, Xythali V, Koutras V.Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Locus of Control IPC Scale in a sample of 3668 Greek educators.Soc Sci. 2015;4(4):1067-1078. doi:10.3390/socsci4041067Carton JS, Ries M, Nowicki S Jr.Parental antecedents of locus of control of reinforcement: A qualitative review.Front Psychol. 2021;12:565883. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.565883Nießen D, Schmidt I, Groskurth K, Rammstedt B, Lechner CM.The Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale-4 (IE-4): A comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271289Awaworyi Churchill S, Munyanyi ME, Prakash K, Smyth R.Locus of control and the gender gap in mental health.J Econ Behav Organ. 2020;178:740-58. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.013McPherson A, Martin CR.Are there gender differences in locus of control specific to alcohol dependence?J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(1-2):258-265. doi:10.1111/jocn.13391Hovenkamp-Hermelink JHM, Jeronimus BF, van der Veen DC, et al.Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change.J Affect Disord. 2019;253:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.005

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zimbardo PG.Psychology and Life.Rotter JB.General principles for a social learning framework of personality study. In: J. B. Rotter, ed.,Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. Prentice-Hall, Inc.; 1954: 82-104. doi:10.1037/10788-004Rotter JB.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.Psychol Monogr.1966;80(1):1-28. doi:10.1037/h0092976Kourmousi N, Xythali V, Koutras V.Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Locus of Control IPC Scale in a sample of 3668 Greek educators.Soc Sci. 2015;4(4):1067-1078. doi:10.3390/socsci4041067Carton JS, Ries M, Nowicki S Jr.Parental antecedents of locus of control of reinforcement: A qualitative review.Front Psychol. 2021;12:565883. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.565883Nießen D, Schmidt I, Groskurth K, Rammstedt B, Lechner CM.The Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale-4 (IE-4): A comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271289Awaworyi Churchill S, Munyanyi ME, Prakash K, Smyth R.Locus of control and the gender gap in mental health.J Econ Behav Organ. 2020;178:740-58. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.013McPherson A, Martin CR.Are there gender differences in locus of control specific to alcohol dependence?J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(1-2):258-265. doi:10.1111/jocn.13391Hovenkamp-Hermelink JHM, Jeronimus BF, van der Veen DC, et al.Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change.J Affect Disord. 2019;253:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.005

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zimbardo PG.Psychology and Life.Rotter JB.General principles for a social learning framework of personality study. In: J. B. Rotter, ed.,Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. Prentice-Hall, Inc.; 1954: 82-104. doi:10.1037/10788-004Rotter JB.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.Psychol Monogr.1966;80(1):1-28. doi:10.1037/h0092976Kourmousi N, Xythali V, Koutras V.Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Locus of Control IPC Scale in a sample of 3668 Greek educators.Soc Sci. 2015;4(4):1067-1078. doi:10.3390/socsci4041067Carton JS, Ries M, Nowicki S Jr.Parental antecedents of locus of control of reinforcement: A qualitative review.Front Psychol. 2021;12:565883. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.565883Nießen D, Schmidt I, Groskurth K, Rammstedt B, Lechner CM.The Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale-4 (IE-4): A comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271289Awaworyi Churchill S, Munyanyi ME, Prakash K, Smyth R.Locus of control and the gender gap in mental health.J Econ Behav Organ. 2020;178:740-58. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.013McPherson A, Martin CR.Are there gender differences in locus of control specific to alcohol dependence?J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(1-2):258-265. doi:10.1111/jocn.13391Hovenkamp-Hermelink JHM, Jeronimus BF, van der Veen DC, et al.Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change.J Affect Disord. 2019;253:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.005

Zimbardo PG.Psychology and Life.

Rotter JB.General principles for a social learning framework of personality study. In: J. B. Rotter, ed.,Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. Prentice-Hall, Inc.; 1954: 82-104. doi:10.1037/10788-004

Rotter JB.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.Psychol Monogr.1966;80(1):1-28. doi:10.1037/h0092976

Kourmousi N, Xythali V, Koutras V.Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Locus of Control IPC Scale in a sample of 3668 Greek educators.Soc Sci. 2015;4(4):1067-1078. doi:10.3390/socsci4041067

Carton JS, Ries M, Nowicki S Jr.Parental antecedents of locus of control of reinforcement: A qualitative review.Front Psychol. 2021;12:565883. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.565883

Nießen D, Schmidt I, Groskurth K, Rammstedt B, Lechner CM.The Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale-4 (IE-4): A comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271289

Awaworyi Churchill S, Munyanyi ME, Prakash K, Smyth R.Locus of control and the gender gap in mental health.J Econ Behav Organ. 2020;178:740-58. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.013

McPherson A, Martin CR.Are there gender differences in locus of control specific to alcohol dependence?J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(1-2):258-265. doi:10.1111/jocn.13391

Hovenkamp-Hermelink JHM, Jeronimus BF, van der Veen DC, et al.Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change.J Affect Disord. 2019;253:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.005

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