Locus Of Control
Locus of Control: Internal or External?
Krista Reeves
PSY/285
December 3, 2014
Rosa Federico-Ochoa
Locus of Control: Internal or External?
When considering what determines life’s outcomes, one has to consider how it is determined? We have what is known as locus of control that helps us to decide. Locus of control is a belief that what happens to them is governed by external forces of one kind or another, while others feel that what happens to them is governed largely by their own efforts and skills (Myers, 2012). We have either an external or internal locus of control, either one is not bad to have, it depends on how much of each someone possesses.
People with an internal locus of control tend to believe that they have a high degree of control over what happens in their lives (Miller, 2014). Person’s who possess internal locus of control tend to take responsibility for their thoughts and actions and usually have a strong sense of self-efficacy (Cherry, 2014). Now, people who possess external locus of control are primarily people who tend to believe that the events in their lives are controlled by external factors like, fate, luck, other’s behaviors or “powerful” other’s (Miller, 2014). They like to blame others for what happens to them, or often will credit luck or chance for any success (Cherry, 2014). Finding out what one’s locus of control is done by a simple test of asking questions in various forms to answer.
When it comes to solving problems or making important decisions, one would think that having an internal locus of control would be best. The reasoning behind this, they believe in taking responsibility for their actions. If they were making a decision and it was wrong, people with internal locus of control would take responsibility for that mistake. Taking intiative and responsibility is importanmt when it comes to problem solving and decision making in the work environment as well as in life. People who express external locus of
Krista Reeves
PSY/285
December 3, 2014
Rosa Federico-Ochoa
Locus of Control: Internal or External?
When considering what determines life’s outcomes, one has to consider how it is determined? We have what is known as locus of control that helps us to decide. Locus of control is a belief that what happens to them is governed by external forces of one kind or another, while others feel that what happens to them is governed largely by their own efforts and skills (Myers, 2012). We have either an external or internal locus of control, either one is not bad to have, it depends on how much of each someone possesses.
People with an internal locus of control tend to believe that they have a high degree of control over what happens in their lives (Miller, 2014). Person’s who possess internal locus of control tend to take responsibility for their thoughts and actions and usually have a strong sense of self-efficacy (Cherry, 2014). Now, people who possess external locus of control are primarily people who tend to believe that the events in their lives are controlled by external factors like, fate, luck, other’s behaviors or “powerful” other’s (Miller, 2014). They like to blame others for what happens to them, or often will credit luck or chance for any success (Cherry, 2014). Finding out what one’s locus of control is done by a simple test of asking questions in various forms to answer.
When it comes to solving problems or making important decisions, one would think that having an internal locus of control would be best. The reasoning behind this, they believe in taking responsibility for their actions. If they were making a decision and it was wrong, people with internal locus of control would take responsibility for that mistake. Taking intiative and responsibility is importanmt when it comes to problem solving and decision making in the work environment as well as in life. People who express external locus of
References: Cherry, K. (2014). What is Locus of Control. Retrieved from About.com: http://www.psychology.about.com Miller, L. (n.d.). External vs. Internal Locus of Control. Retrieved from eHow: http://www.ehow.com Myers, D. G. (2012). Exploring Social Psychology (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.