When something happens to you, do you take responsibility or do you blame others? The answer to this question determines whether you have an external or internal locus of control. This orientation will not only determine how you relate to the world, but it will also affect your success in life, as well as your satisfaction with yourself.
What is locus of control?
In the 1950s, Julian Rotter developed the concept of locus of control to refer to a person's perception of the causes of events in their life. In other words, to answer the question: Do you believe you control your destiny or does it depend on external forces?
Rotter originally called it the reinforcement locus of control to bridge the gap between behavior and cognitive psychology. Rotter believed that behavior is largely driven by "reinforcers" (rewards and punishments) and that through these contingencies we develop certain beliefs about the cause of our actions. In turn, these beliefs drive the attitudes and behaviors we adopt.
This conception of the locus of control coincides with the idea of Philip Zimbardo, according to which, would be “the belief whether the results of our actions depend on what we do (internal control orientation) or on events that are outside our control (external control orientation).
People with an external locus of control believe that external forces, whether it be fate, luck, circumstance, or otherwise, are primarily responsible for events in their lives. Conversely, those with an internal locus of control believe their lives depend on their decisions, efforts, and behaviors.
However, the locus of control is not a rigid construct, but rather a continuum that moves between the outside and the inside. This means that we can have an external locus of control in one area of our life, for example thinking that health is inherited and we cannot do anything to improve it, while we have an internal locus of control in other areas, such as work or relationships of couple.
Interestingly, as we get older, we tend to develop an internal locus of control, probably because we realize that we have the power to decide how to deal with the challenges life throws at us.
Are you master of your destiny? The influence of locus of control on our lives
Locus of control can become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we believe that success depends on luck, for example, we are less likely to put effort into it. If we believe that finding a partner depends on fate, it is possible that we take a more passive attitude in anticipation of falling in love.
Several studies have demonstrated the importance of locus of control in the results we achieve in life. For example, researchers at the University of Southampton found that 10-year-old children's perceptions of their own agency is a fairly reliable predictor of their health in their 30s, including obesity, high blood pressure and psychological distress. Therefore, those who develop an internal locus of control from childhood are more likely to be in good health.
The internal locus of control has also been associated with greater psychological well-being. A study conducted at the University of La Laguna found that people with an internal locus of control felt more satisfied with their lives, reported more positive emotions, and experienced greater psychological well-being.
Researchers at the University of Lahore have found that students who have an internal locus of control have higher academic performance because they are more proactive and involved in the learning process. Conversely, those with an external locus of control adopt a more passive and reactive attitude towards learning, which is why they tend to perform worse.
The influence of locus of control also extends to the workplace. A study conducted in China and the United Kingdom found that people with an internal locus of control may adapt better to the professional environment, better harmonize their work and personal life, and show greater satisfaction with their career.
Lights and shadows of the internal locus of control vs. external locus of control
As a general rule, having an internal locus of control is most beneficial, not only for achieving our goals in life, but also for protecting our emotional well-being. However, there is no “correct” locus of control. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
For example, people with an external locus of control tend to be more willing to let things flow and are better at delegating tasks, so they are less likely to become overwhelmed with work. They are also able to let go more easily, so they don't tend to hold on to impossible or doomed projects.
Instead, those with an internal locus of control tend to be under more pressure and can often feel intense feelings of guilt, even if they are not directly responsible for the events.
Too strong an internal locus of control can lead us to believe that we can control everything, so that if our plans don't work out, we feel responsible for that failure and can break down emotionally. This can lead to a lot of frustration, stress and, in extreme cases, anxiety or depression.
When internal locus of control is not accompanied by self-efficacy, it can be a time bomb. People with an exaggerated sense of self-control, but lacking the right skills, effectiveness, and opportunities, can become neurotic.
This means that the ideal is to find a balance point in the spectrum through which the locus of control moves. We must develop a realistic sense of our circle of influence to strive to change what is up to us and let go of everything that is not in our hands.
The good news is that while our locus of control is shaped largely by the rewarding and punishing experiences we go through as children, it's a flexible construct that we can change throughout our lives.
Developing a balanced locus of control will help us accept situations we cannot influence and handle them more adaptively as they arise, focusing our efforts and energies on controlling what we can. This is how we take control of our lives and, at the same time, come to terms with the uncontrollable.
Sources:
Zhou, W. et. Al. (2016) Career success criteria and locus of control as indicators of adaptive readiness in the career adaptation model. Journal of Vocational Behavior; 94:124-130.
Adeel, M. et. Al. (2016) The Effect of Locus of Control on Academic Performance of the Students at Tertiary level. International Review of Management and Business Research; 5 (3): 860-869.
Marrero, RJ & Carballeira, M. (2014) Does locus of control influence subjective and psychological well-being? Personality and Individual Differences; 60:S55.
Gale, CR et. Al. (2008) Locus of control at age 10 years and health outcomes and behaviors at age 30 years: the 1970 British Cohort Study. Psychosom med; 70 (4): 397-403.
Mamlin, N. et. Al. (2001) A methodological analysis of research on locus of control and learning disabilities: Rethinking a common assumption. The Journal of Special Education; 34 (4): 214-225.
Rotter, JB (1966) Generalized expectations for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs; 80 (1): 1-28.
Admission Are you victim or protagonist? The influence of locus of control in your life was published first in Corner of Psychology.
