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Understanding whether you believe your success is determined by your own efforts or by outside luck and fate.
Two students fail a difficult test. One says, 'The teacher hates me,' while the other says, 'I didn't study enough.' Which one do you think will score higher on the next exam?
In psychology, Locus of Control (LOC) refers to where you believe the 'power' in your life sits. Developed by Julian Rotter, this concept divides people into two groups. If you have an Internal Locus of Control, you believe that your own actions, hard work, and decisions determine your success. You are the driver of your own car. Conversely, if you have an External Locus of Control, you believe that outside forces—like luck, fate, or other people—are responsible for what happens to you. You feel like a passenger in a car driven by someone else. While no one is 100% one or the other, most people lean toward one side in different situations.
Quick Check
If a student says, 'I only got the lead in the play because the director felt sorry for me,' which locus of control are they demonstrating?
Answer
External Locus of Control
1. Scenario: You receive a on a math quiz. 2. External Response: 'The teacher made the questions too confusing; I'm just bad at math.' 3. Internal Response: 'I didn't spend enough time practicing the long division problems. Next time, I will ask for help during lunch.' 4. Result: The internal response leads to a specific action plan for improvement.
Quick Check
True or False: Having an internal locus of control means you believe you can control everything that happens in the world.
Answer
False
An important part of mental health is recognizing what is actually within your Circle of Control. You cannot control the difficulty of a state exam, the weather on game day, or your teacher's mood. However, you can control your response to these events. By focusing on your 'controllables'—like your preparation, your attitude, and your persistence—you shift your LOC inward. This shift reduces anxiety because you stop worrying about the 'storm' and start focusing on how you handle your 'sails.' This is the key to building resilience.
1. Scenario: You are in a group of three. One partner is doing no work, and the project is due in two days. 2. The External Trap: Feeling helpless and complaining that the grade will be bad because of the lazy partner. 3. The Internal Shift: Identify what you can control. You can't force the partner to work, but you can: a. Email the teacher to explain the situation. b. Re-divide the remaining tasks with the other active partner. c. Set a personal goal to finish your section perfectly to maximize the points you can earn.
Which of the following best describes an Internal Locus of Control?
How does an Internal LOC affect academic motivation?
Changing your mindset from 'I'm bad at this' to 'I haven't practiced this enough yet' is a shift toward an internal locus of control.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the 'Steering Wheel' analogy. Are you driving your life today, or are you a passenger?
Practice Activity
The next time something goes wrong (like a late bus or a spilled drink), stop and ask: 'What is one thing in this situation I can actually control?'