Part 1:  Complete the Self-assessment Scale

Click on the button next to the one statement that best describes how you feel.  When you are finished answering each of the 12 questions, click the submit button to reveal your score.  Scores range from 0 – 12.  A higher score indicates an internal locus of control while a lower score indicates an external locus of control.

Now that you have received your score from the self-assessment scale, consider the following information that was presented to you from the textbook.   As you may remember from your reading in chapter 11, Julian Rotter (1966) “believed that people possess a tendency toward either an internal or an external locus of control. Those of us with an internal locus of control (‘internals’) tend to believe that most of our outcomes are the direct result of our efforts. Those of us with an external locus of control (‘externals’) tend to believe that our outcomes are outside of our control. Externals see their lives as being controlled by other people, luck, or chance.”  Furthermore, as stated in this chapter, “perceived control is our beliefs about our personal capacity to exert influence over and shape outcomes, and it has major implications for our health and happiness (Infurna & Gerstorf, 2014). Extensive research has demonstrated that perceptions of personal control are associated with a variety of favorable outcomes, such as better physical and mental health and greater psychological well-being (Diehl & Hay, 2010). Greater personal control is also associated with lower reactivity to stressors in daily life.”  The good news about locus of control is that it is not a hard-wired “personality” trait.  With some reflection, a person can choose to adopt a more internal locus of control in how they approach situations in their life.  To help you with this self reflection, please answer the following questions.

the Self-assessment Scale my score was- 8/12

Part 2: Activity – Making the Decision to Take Control

Answer the following based on your score from the Self-assessment Scale.

Do you primarily have an internal or external locus of control?

How do you think your childhood experiences may have affected your perceived sense of control?

List two examples of how your locus of control may be impacting your current decision making.

What words and phrases do you use that reflect your locus of control? Examples: (“If it is to be, it is up to me” internal) or (“Why is this happening to me?” external)

List two behaviors that you would be interested in changing about yourself.  Do you believe your perceived sense of control will influence your success in making these changes?  Why?

What specific steps, if any, could you take to change your locus of control?