Understanding Locus of Control in Psychology

Locus of control is a fundamental concept in psychology that refers to an individual’s belief about the underlying causes of events in their life. This idea encompasses how people perceive their ability to influence outcomes, whether they attribute successes and failures to their own actions or external circumstances. The term was first introduced by psychologist Julian B. Rotter in 1954 as part of his broader Social Learning Theory, which emphasizes the importance of social context and learning experiences on behavior. Since its inception, locus of control has become a crucial aspect of personality theories and psychological research, providing valuable insights into human motivation and behavior.

The distinction between internal and external locus of control plays a significant role in understanding individual differences in resilience, decision-making, and overall mental health. Individuals with an internal locus believe that they can shape their lives through personal effort and actions; thus, they tend to exhibit greater accountability for their successes or failures. In contrast, those with an external locus often feel that factors beyond their control—such as luck or fate—predetermine life’s outcomes.

This framework not only aids psychologists in assessing behaviors but also serves as a basis for interventions aimed at fostering personal empowerment and enhancing coping strategies across various settings.

Basic Description of Locus of Control

Organisms act in response to their environment. However, similar organisms may respond to the same external stimuli in different ways. We can infer differences in behavior are a product of internal processing of external stimuli. Antonio Damasio explains, “All reactions operate under this arrangement and are thus a means to appraise the internal and external circumstances of an organism and act accordingly. They detect trouble or detect opportunity and solve, by means of action, the problem of getting rid of the trouble or reaching out for the opportunity” (Damasio, 2003).

Julian B. Rotter wrote that predicting behavior requires studying the “directional interaction of the organism and his meaningful environment.” He continues, “When fastening attention on the environmental conditions determining the direction, we can speak of goals or reinforcements; when fastening attention upon the person determining the direction, we can speak of needs. Both needs and goals are inferred from the same referents, that is, the interaction of the person with his meaningful environment or goal -directed behavior” (Rotter, 1954, p. 100).

There are two main types of loci of control: internal and external. Rotter distinguishes between internal and external reinforcements. Internal reinforcement satisfies an internal need. In contrast, external reinforcement accomplishes and external goal. While Rotter does not specifically refer to the term “locus of control” in his 1954 publication, the concept is credited to these early writings on internal and external motivators of behavior.

Locus of Control Orientation

Locus comes from Latin, meaning location. Accordingly, locus of control refers to the basic question, “Who or what controls life’s events?” Our answer to this question impacts our lives in many ways. We may refer to our answer as a locus of control orientation. Behavior is a complex mixture of internal and external factors. External stimuli collide with internal factors of learning and personality which produces a behavioral reaction.

Human behavior is a complex construction of endless factors. It’s impossible to deconstruct behaviors into every definable part to determine every influential factor. If we focus on external factors, we will find several likely contributors to the final behavior. However, if we focus on internal factors, we also will find a host of causes contributing to the final behavior.

According to Daniel Kahneman’s focusing illusion, we tend to overemphasize whichever factor we focus on. Individuals begin to develop a locus of control orientation by focusing more on internal or external causes of behavior early in life. Locus of control orientations are not either-or constructed but a mixture of both with an overemphasis on one or the other. The focus creates the orientation.

Individuals with an internal orientation of locus of control believe that they have a significant influence on events and outcomes in their lives. They tend to attribute their successes and failures to their own abilities and efforts. On the other hand, individuals with an external locus of control believe that their lives are largely influenced by external factors such as luck, fate, or powerful others. They are more likely to attribute success or failure to luck or other people’s actions. A person’s orientation has an impact on behavior, emotions, and health.

Locus of Control and Motivation

Locus of control orientation and extrinsic-intrinsic determinants of behavior are related concepts, but they refer to different psychological constructs:

• Locus of Control: This is the belief of whether one’s life events and outcomes are largely determined by external forces beyond personal control, or if personal characteristics determine events and consequences.
• Extrinsic-intrinsic Motivation: This refers to whether motivation that comes from inside or outside an individual. Extrinsic motivation involves performing an activity to achieve an outcome that is separable from the activity itself, such as receiving a reward or avoiding a punishment. Intrinsically motivated refers to performing a behavior or activity for the sake of the activity itself.

For example, I don’t write for money (external motivation). I write because I enjoy writing (internal motivation). This refers to internal and external motivations. However, locus of control is about perception of control over events. People with an external locus of control may believe that no matter what they do, the outcome is not in their hands. In contrast, a person with an internal locus of control believes that their behaviors and choices ultimately drive the circumstances of their lives.

Internal Locus of Control Orientation

An internal locus of control orientation refers to the belief that one’s own actions and decisions significantly influence the outcomes in their life. Individuals with an internal locus of control tend to attribute their successes and failures to their own abilities and efforts, rather than external factors such as luck or fate. This mindset often leads to greater feelings of empowerment, self-reliance, and a proactive approach to challenges.

People with an internal locus of control typically exhibit a strong sense of accountability and autonomy in shaping their own circumstances. This perspective can influence various aspects of an individual’s life, including their motivation, resilience, and approach to problem-solving.

Basically, when we take responsibility for consequences, we tend to exert more effort to bring about desirable consequences. Our internal orientation then is expressed through traits such as self-discipline, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivations.

Alexander J. Rothman, Austin S. Baldwin, Andrew W. Hertel, and Paul T. Fuglestad explain:

“It would appear that internal motivation may exert a more positive influence than external motivation on behavior during the maintenance phase. People may find it easier to sustain themselves through this unpleasant period if their actions are motivated by their own needs and desires as opposed to the needs and desires of others” (Rothman et al., 2010).

Angela Duckworth, an American academic, psychologist, and author known for her research on grit and self-control, associates intrinsic motivation with passion.

Duckworth wrote:

“Passion begins with intrinsically enjoying what you do. People who are intrinsically motivated are captivated by the endeavor as a whole. With enduring fascination and childlike curiosity, they practically shout out, ‘I love what I do!’” (Duckworth, 2018).

External Locus of Control

An external locus of control is the belief that one’s life events and outcomes are largely determined by external forces beyond personal control. They may proclaim, “It doesn’t matter what I do.” An external focus includes points to factors responsible for life failures to fate, luck, the actions of others, or societal structures.

When individuals possess a strong external orientation, they often perceive that their actions hold little influence over the outcomes they encounter. Instead, they may attribute both success and failure to external circumstances, rather than acknowledging the impact of their own efforts. This tendency can lead to a diminished sense of personal agency and control over their lives.

One noteworthy consequence of an external locus of control is its potential influence on an individual’s decision-making process. For instance, when faced with challenges or obstacles, individuals with a predominant external orientation may be more inclined to consider quitting early rather than persevering in a task. This inclination may stem from the belief that the outcomes are largely determined by factors beyond their control, leading to a reduced motivation to continue investing efforts in the face of adversity.

In understanding the dynamics of an external locus of control, it becomes apparent that this mindset could significantly shape an individual’s approach to various aspects of their lives, including their pursuit of goals, response to setbacks, and overall resilience in the face of adversity. Furthermore, recognizing the presence of an external locus of control in oneself or others can serve as a valuable insight for personal development and fostering a more proactive and empowered mindset.

Development of Locus of Control Style

Research suggests that locus of control orientations begin to develop early in childhood (Neal et al., 2014). The development of locus of control is influenced by various factors, including childhood experiences, cultural background, and social environment. For example, individuals who grow up in environments where they have a high level of autonomy and control over their decisions are more likely to develop an internal locus of control.

The development of a child’s locus of control is influenced by various factors:

• Parenting Style: Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth and consistent discipline, tends to foster an internal locus of control. In contrast, overprotective or authoritarian parenting can lead to an external locus of control. Duckworth wrote, “Longitudinal studies tracking learners confirm that overbearing parents and teachers erode intrinsic motivation” (Duckworth, 2018).
• Parental Modeling: Children often adopt behaviors and attitudes seen in their parents. If parents demonstrate an internal locus of control, children are more likely to develop the same.
• Reinforcement: Consistent use of rewards and punishments helps children understand the relationship between their actions and outcomes, promoting an internal locus of control.
• Encouragement of Autonomy: Allowing children to make choices and experience the consequences can enhance their sense of control over their lives.
• Life Experiences: Stressful or traumatic events, especially if unpredictable, can shift a child’s locus of control towards external, as they may feel less in control of their environment.
• Social and Cultural Influences: Cultural norms and societal expectations can also shape how children perceive control in their lives.

Understanding these factors can help in guiding children towards developing a healthy sense of personal control over their lives.

Associated Concepts

• Learned Helplessness: This theory, developed by Martin Seligman, suggests that individuals may learn to perceive themselves as having no control over their environment, leading to a passive acceptance of negative situations.
• Self-Determination Theory: A central concept in SDT is whether an individual possess intrinsic or extrinsic motivation, and how that motivation determines behavior.
• Freewill: This refers to the philosophical and scientific concept that humans have the capacity to make choices. They can perform actions independently of any prior causes or determining factors.
• Empowerment Theory: Empowerment theory examines the interrelated internal and external determinants influencing behaviors.
• Attributional Style: This refers to how people explain the causes of events, which can be internal (due to personal factors) or external (due to situational factors). It’s closely related to locus of control in that it deals with perceptions of influence over outcomes.
• Self-Efficacy: Developed by Albert Bandura, self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations. It’s a concept that overlaps with the internal locus of control, where a high sense of personal agency is present.

References:

Damasio, Antonio (2003). Looking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain. Harvest; First Edition. ISBN: 9780156028714
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Duckworth, Angela (2018). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Simon and Schuster. ISBN-13: 9781501111112; APA Record: 2016-30309-000
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Neal, M., Weeks, G., & DeBattista, J. (2014). Locus of Control. The Family Journal, 22(2), 141-147. DOI: 10.1177/1066480713515160
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Rothman, Alexander J.; Baldwin, Austin S.; Hertel, Andrew W.; Fuglestad (2010). Self-Regulation and Behavior Change Disentangling Behavioral Initiation and Behavioral Maintenance. In Kathleen D. Vohs and Roy F. Baumeister (eds.), Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory, and Applications. Editors . The Guilford Press; 3rd edition. ISBN-10: 1462533825; APA Record: 2010-24692-000
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Rotter, Julian B. (2017/1954). Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. Martino Fine Books. ISBN: 9781684220687 ; DOI: 10.1037/10788-000
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