Does Internal Locus Of Control Equal To Ideal Mental Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Experts have found that, in general, people with an internal locus of control tend to be better off. 5 However, it is also important to remember that

internal locus of control does not always equal “good”

and external locus of control does not always equal “bad.”

What are the benefits of having an internal locus of control?

  • Belief in one’s control over their life.
  • Improved information acquisition.
  • Better decision-making processes.
  • Self-efficacy, job effectiveness, and higher achievement.
  • Less risk of burnout.
  • Generally increased happiness.
  • Increase leadership adaptability.

What is internal locus of control in health?

An internal locus of control suggests that

positive health results from one’s own doing, willpower or sustained efforts

. In contrast, an external locus of control is marked by belief in the influence of fate, powerful others, or supernatural occurrences upon one’s health (Wallston, Wallston, & Devellis, 1978).

Are people with internal locus of control more successful?

Research suggests that

people who operate with an internal locus of control are more successful in both personal and professional settings

—enjoying better health, relationships and careers. They make better leaders and handle change more effectively than those with an external locus of control.

What does internal locus of control mean in psychology?


If you believe that you have control over what happens

, then you have what psychologists refer to as an internal locus of control. If you believe that you have no control over what happens and that external variables are to blame, then you have what is known as an external locus of control.

How does internal locus of control influence people’s behavior?

Individuals with a strong internal locus of control

believe events in their life are primarily a result of their own actions

: for example, when receiving exam results, people with an internal locus of control tend to praise or blame themselves and their abilities.

How is having internal locus of control helpful in students life?

These studies concluded that students with an internal locus of control had

higher academic achievement

than students with an external locus of control (Uget, 2007). The reason for the internals performing better academically comes from their belief that if they work hard and study, they will receive good grades.

What are disadvantages of internal locus of control?

  • Have a tendency to be direct and to the point. This can leave people feeling ‘trampled’.
  • Can find it difficult to delegate, wanting to control everything.

Why would having an internal locus of control lead to a better personal outcome?

If you have a strong internal locus of control, you will likely feel that you’re in full control of the events in your life.

You are self-motivated and focused on achieving the goals you have set for yourself

. For these reasons, people with a strong internal locus of control often make good leaders.

How locus of control affects health?

Health locus of control refers to the belief that health is in one’s control (internal control) or is not in one’s control (external control). Among adults,

external locus of control is associated with negative health outcomes, whereas internal locus of control is associated with favorable outcomes

.

Does internal or external locus of control have a stronger link to mental and physical health?

Taken as independent constructs,

high internal locus of control may indeed be responsible for the association with psychological and physical well-being

, but it is also possible that a high external locus of control is responsible for low levels of psychological and physical well-being.

What is the difference between an internal locus of control and an external locus of control what cultures use each type?

People who base their success on their own work and believe they control their life have an internal locus of control. In contrast, people who attribute their success or failure to outside influences have an external locus of control.

Why is internal locus of control important for entrepreneurs?

Internal locus of control

can lead individuals to develop entrepreneurial intentions

. Some successful entrepreneurs claim that their success is due to the right decisions they have made (internal locus of control), not because of external factors such as fate and luck.

Does the locus of control determine the personality of a person discuss?

Within psychology,

Locus of Control is considered to be an important aspect of personality

. The concept was developed originally Julian Rotter in the 1950s (Rotter, 1966). Locus of Control refers to an individual’s perception about the underlying main causes of events in his/her life.

Is internal locus of control better?

Having an internal locus of control is generally a positive thing. Those who report an internal locus of control are more likely to be in better health, show lower levels of psychological stress, and have greater confidence in their ability to influence outcomes in their lives.

Is there any difference between locus of control and authoritarianism?

Locus of control is a psychological concept where people believe having control on certain events of life which goes over some control. Authoritarianism is a political concept that values authority and distrusts any kind of social change.

What are the characteristics of a person with internal locus of control?

People with an internal locus of control

assume a personal responsibility and influence over what happens to them

. When they face a new and unpredictable situation they trust their ability to influence it, and so the unknown appears less threatening (ibid.).

Why is external locus of control bad?

A person with an external locus of control, who attributes his or her success to luck or fate,

will be less likely to make the effort needed to learn

. People with an external locus of control are also more likely to experience anxiety since they believe that they are not in control of their lives.

What is external locus of control in psychology?

Students with an “external locus of control”

generally believe that their successes or failures result from external factors beyond their control

, such as luck, fate, circumstance, injustice, bias, or teachers who are unfair, prejudiced, or unskilled.

Is an external locus of control bad?

Someone with an external locus of control

might cope better with failure

(at least in the immediate term) because they can pass the responsibility on to other factors and deflect criticism of their own performance.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.