Locus of control
Overview
Based on Martinez[1], locus of control can be explained in two contrasting styles–internal locus of control and external locus of control. Internal locus of control refers to a person who thinks he/she has control over whatever happens to them–either good or bad. On the contrary, external locus of control refers to someone who believes he/she is being controlled by external forces and has no power over their circumstances.
Martinez[1] explains that internal locus of control is associated with the term ‘origin’, and external locus of control associates with the term ‘pawn’. Martinez further explains that those who are extremely passive about their lives are victims of what is called ‘learned helplessness’. Locus of control is important among the psychology community because it impacts our daily lives and influences our thoughts that may affect our actions[2].
Evidence
In a study related to health from CDC[3], a research was done for a group of youths of ages between 6 and 17 with chronic diseases to discover the relationship between locus of control and their health conditions. The results of the research discovered that a stronger internal LOC(locus of control) was associated with improved outcomes, and a stronger external LOC was linked to poorer outcomes[3]. This research also states an example of implementing a pain management program as a way to increase internal locus of control which allows patients to shift their beliefs toward feeling more in control of their own health condition.
This suggests that identifying the type of Locus of Control is highly valuable in regards to health care because knowing the outcomes of a type of locus of control may provide possible countermeasures for health care organizations that can be taken to improve health conditions of their patients.
Internal Locus of Control
Research study shows that employees with higher internal locus of control are likely happy about their career and are likely to recommend their company to others. Based on the study, it also shows that employees are more likely to put much effort toward at work with higher internal locus of control[4]. Having a high internal locus of control suggests a better health condition, lower stress level, and greater confidence in self ability to influence outcomes[4]. To read the full article, visit here.
External Locus of Control
In an article from Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication[5], having a level of external locus of control is normally associated with negative health conditions such as obesity, cancer, depression, to name a few. While research views external locus of control as negative[5], an article from Verywell Mind[6] argues that having an external locus of control could possibly lower stress. This article uses a loss in a sports game as an example and explains that if the person applies external locus of control and pushes the responsibility to an unpleasant weather or a strong opposing team, the person may feel more stress free and less depressed[6].
Characteristics
According to Mind.help[2], most people fall under a combination of both internal and external locus of control. However there are several characteristics that are dominant by a particular type of locus of control[2]. Mind.help addresses these characteristics in the following table:
| Internal Locus of Control | External Locus of Control |
|---|---|
| Takes responsibility for their own actions | Places blame on external forces |
| Less influenced by the opinions of others | Tends to credit luck or chance for any successes |
| Does well in tasks when they work on their own pace | Refuses to believe that their situation can change through their own efforts |
| Physically healthier | Feels helpless or powerless in different situations |
| Works hard to achieve the things they want | More susceptible to experiencing learned helplessness |
| Has a strong sense of self-efficacy | Physically unfit |
| Are more happier and independent | Doesn’t work towards success or change |
| Achieves greater success at workplace | Less happier and dependent |
From: https://mind.help/topic/locus-of-control
Discover Your Locus of Control
For those who are interested in knowing what type of locus of control you possess, below is a link to a quick quiz that helps you understand your current locus of control[7]:
Locus of Control : Are You in Charge of Your Destiny?
Origin and Pawn
Similar to internal and external locus of control, the notion of ‘origin and pawn’ refers to people who believe they have control over their destiny (origin) versus those who feel powerless over the control of their destiny (pawn)[8].
Example
A quick example of origin and pawn is described in Martinez[1], where the prince believes his abilities affect the outcome of his quest. On the other hand, the princess patiently believes she can only be rescued due to her own powerlessness. In the case of the prince, he is the origin; and the princess is the pawn.
The example above resonates with the game ‘Prince of Persia’ (DOS version)[9], where the player plays as the prince who controls all the movements to rescue the princess, who is being held captive. In this game, the princess is the perfect example of a pawn because she feels powerless and can only hope to be rescued.
The prince, in which is controlled by the player, is a perfect example of an origin, due to the fact the player has full control over the strategies, movement and combat of the prince.
Learned Helplessness
In the research from Maier & Seligman[10], learned helplessness are instances in which an organism has learned that outcomes are uncontrollable; by his responses and is seriously debilitated by this knowledge[10]. It is a learned behavior over the course of repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors in which the learner fails to find a reliever solution to that stressor and eventually gives up trying even when the situation becomes reasonably solvable[11]. It is important to note that learned helplessness may further have a negative impact on the motivational, cognitive, and emotional level[10]. On a motivational level, the willingness to even try or respond to a situation becomes weaker; on a cognitive level, the learner finds it difficult to learn that a response worked if the response were to succeed; on an emotional level, depression and anxiety are likely to occur. These are referred to as Motivational Deficits, Cognitive Deficits, and Emotional Deficits (Maier & Seligman, 1976).
Evidence
Motivational Deficit
[here]
Cognitive Deficit
[here]
Emotional Deficit
[here]
Examples
[here]
Consequences and Treatment
[here]
Challenges and Further Consideration
[here]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Martinez, M. E. (2010). Emotion, Motivation, and Volition. In Learning and Cognition: The Design of the Mind (pp. 153–188). Boston: Merrill. http://books.google.com/books?id=wqFWAAAAYAAJ
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 What Is Locus Of Control: And How It Affects Your Mind. (n.d.). Mind Help. https://mind.help/topic/locus-of-control/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nazareth, M., Richards, J., Javalkar, K., Haberman, C., Zhong, Y., Rak, E., Jain, N., Ferris, M., & van Tilburg, M. A. (2016). Relating Health Locus of Control to Health Care Use, Adherence, and Transition Readiness Among Youths With Chronic Conditions, North Carolina, 2015. Preventing Chronic Disease, 13. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160046
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Api, S. (2022, March 11). Internal Locus Of Control: Definition And Research. Leadership IQ. https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/internal-locus-of-control-definition-and-research
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Shen, L. (2017). Fatalism and Locus of Control as a Consideration When Designing Health and Risk Messages. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.341
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Are You in Control of Your Destiny, or Are You at the Mercy of Chance? (2022, October 17). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-locus-of-control-2795434
- ↑ MindTools | Home. (n.d.). https://www.mindtools.com/am8v6ux/locus-of-control
- ↑ Kent, M. (2007). The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Oxford University Press, USA. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198568506.001.0001/acref-9780198568506-e-4895?rskey=yytwVk&result=4880
- ↑ Morfeus; admin@retrogames.cz. (n.d.). Prince of Persia (DOS) - online game. RetroGames.cz. https://www.retrogames.cz/play_102-DOS.php?language=EN
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Maier, S. F., & Seligman, M. E. (1976). Learned helplessness: Theory and evidence. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 105(1), 3–46. https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.105.1.3
- ↑ Nickerson, C. (2022, April 24). What Is Learned Helplessness and Why Does it Happen? Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/learned-helplessness.html