Education & Career Trends: November 8, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Article by Stephen Nowicki, published on psychologytoday.com.
Locus of control (LOC) is a psychological concept reflecting how much we believe our actions influence our outcomes rather than attributing them to luck, fate, or other external forces. Developed by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1966, LOC has been a foundational concept in personality psychology and is key to understanding how people perceive their ability to impact their own lives.
The more “internal” someone is, the more they believe their actions matter, whereas a more “external” outlook attributes life events to outside forces.
Understanding Locus of Control
Rotter’s LOC scale, which asks individuals to choose between statements with internal and external outlooks, has been widely used to assess adults. The Nowicki Strickland Internal External Control Scale (1973) provides a similar assessment using simplified language for children.
These tests help to gauge a person’s outlook, shaping our understanding of how control beliefs impact various life outcomes.
The Decline in Internal Locus of Control
Research has consistently shown that an internal LOC is linked with positive outcomes across fields—from academic and athletic performance to business success and overall well-being. Yet, despite Rotter’s early warnings, studies show that modern populations have become increasingly external. For instance, a meta-analysis of decades-long LOC scores found that adults today score significantly more externally than Rotter’s 1960s samples.
The findings are echoed in recent data, with young adults—especially Generation Z—scoring more externally than previous generations.
What’s Driving the Trend Toward Externality?
One explanation is that the complexity and unpredictability of today’s world, marked by rapid technological change, economic pressures, and global crises, may make external attributions seem more realistic. For Gen Z, high rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness are correlated with an external LOC, suggesting that these feelings may reinforce a sense of reduced control over personal outcomes.
Yet, there is a danger in this increasing externality. Following disasters, such as the recent pandemic, external LOC often rises. If people remain external even after regaining control, they may struggle to cope effectively. Encouragingly, LOC is not fixed; it is a learned perspective that can shift over time.
Reclaiming Internal Control for Societal Benefit
Reasserting an internal LOC has far-reaching benefits, especially in a democracy. People with an internal LOC are more likely to take responsibility for their actions, persist through challenges, and make informed decisions. By fostering a sense of agency, individuals not only enhance their own resilience but also contribute to the vitality of democratic societies, where citizen engagement and accountability are crucial for collective progress.
The LOC trend toward externality calls for renewed awareness. Shifting toward a healthier internal LOC can empower individuals to shape their lives actively, contributing to personal fulfilment and the broader health of our democratic systems.
…
Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
12 Productivity Traits of an Employee
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
Like this post? For more such helpful articles, click on the button below and subscribe FREE to our blog.
Download our mobile app, ICS Career GPS, a one-stop career guidance platform.
