weaknesses of locus of control

• A limitation is the role of LOC in resisting social influence may be exaggerated.

  Rotter (1982) found LOC is only important in new situations. It has little influence in familiar situations where previous experiences are always more important.

  This is often overlooked. It means people who have conformed or obeyed in specific situations in the past are likely to do so again, even if they have a high

  internal LOC.
• This is a limitation because it means that

  LOC is only helpful in explaining a narrow range of new situations.