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

Scripps College

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.

Locus of Control

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 

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?

Locus of control operates on a continuous spectrum rather than as a strict binary. This continuum ranges from an internal locus of control, where individuals believe their own decisions and effort dictate outcomes, to an external locus of control, where individuals feel that outcomes are outside their control and determined by luck, fate, or other people.

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