Locus of control

• Who proposed locus of control (LOC)?

  Rotter
• What is LOC concerned with?

  Internal control versus external control
• What is an internal LOC?

  People believe the things that happen to them are controlled by themselves
• What is an external LOC?

  People believe the things that happen to them are outside of their control
• What is the LOC continuum?

  LOC is a scale and individuals vary in their position on it
• Where is a high internal/high external LOC on the scale?

  Opposite ends
• Where is a low internal/high internal LOC on the scale?


  In-between the high internal/high external
• Who is more likely to resist pressures to conform/obey?

  People with a high internal LOC
• What traits do people with a high internal LOC have making them more likely to resist pressures to conform/obey?

  Takes personal responsibility, bases decisions on own beliefs, more self-confident, more achievement-oriented and higher intelligence
• Traits of a high internal LOC lead to greater resistance to social influence