Locus of Control
Understanding whether you believe outcomes are within your control (internal) or determined by external forces (external).
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Rotter, J. B. (1954). *Social Learning and Clinical Psychology.* New York: Prentice-Hall. Concept; this is an original educational summary.
Locus of Control
Locus of control, a concept developed by Julian Rotter in 1954, refers to the degree to which people believe they have control over the outcomes of events in their lives.
Internal Locus of Control
People with an internal locus of control believe:
- Their actions directly influence outcomes
- Success comes from hard work and effort
- They are responsible for their circumstances
- They can change their situation through their choices
Benefits: Higher motivation, better coping, more resilience
Challenges: May take on too much responsibility, self-blame
External Locus of Control
People with an external locus of control believe:
- Outcomes are determined by luck or fate
- Other people control what happens to them
- Circumstances are beyond their influence
- Success depends on being in the right place at the right time
Benefits: Less self-blame, acceptance of uncertainty
Challenges: Feeling helpless, reduced motivation
Finding Balance
The healthiest approach is often somewhere in between:
- Recognizing what is within your control
- Accepting what is beyond your control
- Focusing your energy on things you can influence
- Being compassionate with yourself about external factors
Serenity Prayer Principle
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
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Reflection Questions
Prompts you can use yourself or share with a client.
- Do you tend toward an internal or external locus of control?
- What areas of your life do you feel you have control over?
- What have you been trying to control that might be outside your influence?
- control
- psychology
- motivation
- resilience
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