Developing a balance between internal and external locus of control in children who have had traumatic experiences can be a beneficial way to improve self-worth instead of placing sole emphasis on internal locus of control alone. "Beneffectance," a balanced pattern that outlines this practice is defined as the tendency to accept internal responsibility for one's success and mostly view failures and adverse experiences as the result of external factors and not as "one's own fault." 

Balance between internal and external locus of control within children 

https://blogs.harvard.edu/sammy/2008/11/20/internal-locus-of-control/

The Importance of Internal Locus of Control

While both are cognitive factors in personality, locus of control and self-efficacy are distinct concepts. Self-efficacy refers to one's belief in their own *ability* to succeed in specific tasks. In contrast, locus of control refers to one's belief about the *power* they have over the outcomes in their life in general.

Comparison of Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy

The difference between internal and external locus of control can be illustrated by a student's reaction to a poor test grade. An 'internal' would likely accept responsibility, attributing the 'D' grade to a lack of studying and planning to study more in the future. An 'external' would likely blame an external factor, such as the test being too difficult, and might not bother studying for the next test, feeling the outcome is beyond their control.

Example of Locus of Control: Test Performance

An internal locus of control is the belief that one is in control of their own outcomes. Individuals with this perspective hold that their own efforts and decisions are the primary determinants of the results they experience in life.

Internal Locus of Control

An external locus of control is the belief that outcomes are beyond one's personal control. Individuals with this perspective attribute life's results to external forces such as luck, fate, or the actions of other people, rather than to their own efforts.

External Locus of Control

According to research, individuals with an internal locus of control tend to exhibit more positive life outcomes compared to those with an external locus of control. These benefits include better academic performance, greater achievement in their careers, higher levels of independence, better physical health, more effective coping skills, and lower rates of depression.

Benefits Associated with an Internal Locus of Control

An employee, Alex, is passed over for a promotion. Alex believes this happened because 'the boss just plays favorites and the whole system is rigged.' Which cognitive factor does Alex's explanation best illustrate?

Proposed by Julian Rotter, locus of control is a cognitive factor that influences learning and personality. It refers to an individual's beliefs about the amount of power and control they have over the outcomes in their life. This concept is distinct from self-efficacy, which relates to confidence in one's abilities. Locus of control is typically categorized as either internal or external.

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Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences can have an influence on a child's self-worth. Several studies have documented alterations in self-worth among traumatized children as children who have experienced trauma can become extremely critical of themselves or their behavior, and thereby judging themselves to be worthless and deserving of their fate.

Influence of trauma on children's self-worth

Julian Rotter was a psychologist known for his contributions to social learning theory and for proposing the concept of locus of control in 1966. He identified locus of control as a cognitive factor that plays a significant role in learning and the development of personality.

Julian Rotter

Alexander, A. (2019). The influence of trauma, locus of control, and health-related quality of life on a child's self-worth (Order No. AAI10812939). Available from APA PsycInfo®. (2169373707; 2018-65234-129). https://proxy.cc.uic.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/influence-trauma-locus-control-health-related/docview/2169373707/se-2

The influence of trauma, locus of control, and health-related quality of life on a child's self-worth

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Self-worth is defined as the degree to which an individual likes themself as a person, is happy with the way they're leading their life, and is generally pleased with themself as a human being. 

Self-Worth

A research study found that children who experienced physical abuse was significantly correlated with negative self-worth more than any other forms of maltreatment, while another research study suggested that only sexual abuse during childhood reduced one's self-worth. 

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