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| On Being Controlled 2024 |
Locus of
control is a
psychological concept referring to a person’s perception of the source of
control for their lives. The concept is attributed to research by American
psychological scientist Julian B. Rotter (1954, 1966, 1975).
People with
a strong sense of internal locus of control have confidence that they
control their destiny. In contrast, people with a strong sense of external
locus of control believe that external forces are responsible for what happens
to them in life.
Research
supports a positive correlation between high self-esteem and internal locus of
control (e.g., see the literature review by Pruessner et al., 2005).
Locus of Control
can be measured using Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale.
I found a review article titled "Changing the focus of locus of control: A targeted review of the locus of control literature and agenda for future research" published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior (Galvin et al., 2018). Here's a brief summary:
The article explores the concept of locus of control, a psychological construct that reflects individuals' beliefs about the degree of control they have over events in their lives. It highlights how locus of control has been studied for over 50 years and its significance in predicting various work-related outcomes, such as job attitudes, motivation, and behavior. The authors argue that while locus of control is often examined as part of core self-evaluation, it is a distinct and independent concept. They advocate for future research to focus on locus of control as a standalone construct and provide a foundation for further exploration of its characteristics and implications.
Applications of the Locus of Control Construct
Locus of control has a wide range of practical applications across various fields:
Education: Students with an internal locus of control often take more responsibility for their learning, leading to better academic performance. Educators can use this concept to design interventions that encourage students to develop a sense of control over their success.
Workplace: Employees with an internal locus of control are generally more proactive, motivated, and resilient. Organizations can use this understanding to foster leadership development, improve job satisfaction, and enhance productivity.
Health: In health psychology, individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercising and following medical advice. This concept is used in designing health interventions and promoting patient empowerment.
Psychotherapy and Counseling: Psychotherapists often work with patients to shift their locus of control from external to internal, helping them feel more empowered to manage their challenges and improve mental health outcomes.
Substance Dependence Recovery: In substance dependence treatment, fostering an internal locus of control can help individuals take responsibility for their recovery and maintain long-term sobriety.
Parenting and Child Development: Parents and educators can encourage children to develop an internal locus of control, which is linked to higher self-esteem and better coping skills.
References
Galvin, B. M., Randel, A. E., Collins, B. J., & Johnson, R. E. (2018). Changing the focus of locus (of control): A targeted review of the locus of control literature and agenda for future research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(7), 820–833.
Pruessner, J. C., Baldwin, M. W., Dedovic, K.,
Renwick, R., Mahani, N. K., Lord, C., Meaney, M., & Lupien, S. (2005).
Self-esteem, locus of control, hippocampal volume, and cortisol regulation in
young and old adulthood. NeuroImage, 28(4), 815–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.06.014
Rotter, J. B. (1954). Social learning and
clinical psychology. Prentice-Hall, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1037/10788-000
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies
for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological
monographs: General and applied, 80 (1), 1.
Rotter, J. B. (1975). Some problems and
misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of
reinforcement. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43 (1),
56.
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