LOCUS OF CONTROL

Differentiate between individuals who have an external and an internal locus of control

Differentiate between individuals who have an external and an internal locus of control

Introduction

Phares provides a basic and useful overview of Rotter's 1966 theory of internal-external locus of control. Locus of control is a construct that refers to how individuals perceive reinforcing events and the causal attributions they make concerning that event (resultant from their own actions or from external causes). (E. Jerry, 2003) Phares states that, while the locus of control is a critical determinant of human behavior, its effects may be moderated by other personality and environmental factors. The bulk of the book is devoted to examining both the antecedents and consequences of locus of control. Some of the antecedents include parental nurturance, consistency of experience, and socioeconomic status, while consequences include academic achievement, anxiety, adjustment, and reaction to the threat. Burger provides the most recent discussion on locus of control. This research paper explores both control and personality within the context of peoples' reactions to perceived immediate control. Burger examines this context in light of two individual difference variables; locus of control and desire for control. Locus of control is portrayed as a control belief, while the desire for control is discussed like a motivational concept (Jerry M, 2000).

Discussion and Analysis

As a personality variable, locus of control has generated a tremendous amount of research. Joe provides an informative five-year review of locus of control beginning with its 1966 inception. He describes research on internal-external control of reinforcement in 12 areas (such as achievement motivation, reaction to social stimuli, and strategy preferences/learning). Locus of control is presented as a robust construct, although not completely consistent across studies. Joe discusses some of the less expected findings within the theory, such as the role sex differences play in influencing beliefs of control.

Steitz reviews the locus of control construct from a lifespan developmental perspective. She argues that the construct has failed to reflect this perspective due to incongruence with the basic principles of developmental interaction. Locus of control theory downplays the interactional relationship between the person and the environment, with the person having little effect on the environment. Additionally, Steitz states that within the locus of control theory individuals change across time in a quantitative manner additive from past experience. This fails to account for substantial qualitative differences that occur with age. Finally, she posits that the ...