Locus of control

Click below to listen to this article:

Locus of control

Locus of control is a psychological construct that refers to how much individuals perceive that they have control over their own actions and outcomes, as opposed to being influenced by external factors or luck (Rotter, 1966). According to Rotter (1966), people can have either an internal or an external locus of control, depending on whether they believe that their behaviour is contingent on their own characteristics or on the forces surrounding them. Locus of control can have important implications for various aspects of life, such as motivation, behaviour, self-esteem, and psychological wellbeing (Galvin et al., 2018).

The difference between internal and external locus of control is how much people believe that they have control over their own actions and outcomes, or that they are influenced by external factors or luck. Locus of control is a psychological construct that was introduced by Rotter (1966). People who have an internal locus of control think that their behaviour is contingent on their own characteristics, such as their skills, efforts, and attitudes. They tend to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and believe that they can influence their own fate.

People who have an external locus of control believe that their behaviour is contingent on the forces surrounding them, such as other people, circumstances, or chance. They tend to blame or credit external factors for their actions and outcomes, and believe that they have little or no control over their own fate.

self-esteem is another psychological construct that refers to how much individuals value themselves and their abilities (Rosenberg, 1965). self-esteem can affect how people cope with challenges, pursue goals, and interact with others. It can also be influenced by various factors, such as feedback from others, social comparisons, and personal achievements.

The relationship between locus of control and self-esteem has been a topic of interest for many researchers, especially in relation to children and young people. Some studies have suggested that having an internal locus of control is associated with higher self-esteem, as it implies a sense of personal agency, responsibility, and competence (Zeigler-Hill & Shackelford, 2020).

A related psychological construct proposed by Carl Rogers, the locus of evaluation proposes a similar relationship between ones self-esteem and internal or external evaluation.

Conversely, having an external locus of control may be related to lower self-esteem, as it implies a lack of control, helplessness, and dependence on others (Levin, 1992). However, other studies have found no significant relationship between locus of control and self-esteem, indicating that other factors may mediate or moderate this association (e.g., gender, age, culture) (Shojaee & French, 2014).

Therefore, the relationship between locus of control and self-esteem is not clear-cut and may depend on various contextual and individual factors. It is important to understand how these two constructs interact in different situations and populations, as they may have implications for the development and wellbeing of children and young people.

References

Galvin, B. M., Rondel, A. E., Collins, B. J., & Johnson, R. E. (2018). The good and bad of being fair: Effects of procedural and interpersonal justice behaviors on regulatory resources. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(5), 542–559. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000286

Levin, S. (1992). Locus of control in relation to emotional problems in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 21(1), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp2101_6

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press.

Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0092976

Shojaee, M., & French, D. C. (2014). Children’s friendship quality: Links to child aggression and locus of control beliefs across cultures. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 38(3), 228–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025413519019

Zeigler-Hill, V., & Shackelford, T.K. (2020). The SAGE handbook of personality and individual differences: Volume I: The science of personality and individual differences. SAGE Publications Ltd.