Locus of Control

• Locus of control is a persons perception of personal control over their behaviours.
• Internal locus of control

  • The belief we control events in our life and what happens is a consequence of their own effort and ability
  • Independent behaviour
  • Confident
  • Less likely to rely on others opinions
  • Resists social influence easily
• External locus of control

  • The belief that what happens is determined by external factors, such as influence of others or luck
  • Fatalistic and passive attitude
  • Less personal responsibility for their actions
  • Less independent
  • Accept the influence of others
• 1. High internals are active seekers of information - they are less likely to rely on others opinions.
  2. High internals tend to be more achievement oriented - they are more likely to become leaders.
  3. High internals are better able top resist coercion.

  Internal Locus
• Twenge et al (2004) found that young American’s were becoming increasingly external but also increasingly more resistant to obedience. This suggests locus of control does not have a strong implant on obedience.
• Avtgis carried out a meta analysis which found a positive correlation between internality / externality and scores on measures of persuasion. He found those with more external traces were more easily persuaded.