Lesson 6 : Development of Personality- Behavioural perspective
Locus of control theory
Some people believe that they are masters of their own fate, while others feel that they are controlled by forces beyond their control. This concept was studied extensively by Julian Rotter (1966). He pointed that the reinforcers could be either internal or external. Perceived locus of control affects the effort individuals put in many activities of life.
Internals: Those people who believe that life’s outcomes are predominantly the consequence of their own actions are known as internals. Characteristics of “internals” are assertiveness and preference for activities that require skill and strategies.
Externals: Those people who believe that life’s events are controlled by forces beyond their control such as fate, luck, chance and other people are known as externals.
Rotter’s scale to measure locus of control indicates that people are rarely in extreme levels. People generally indicate different degree of internality and externality. Most people, however tend to lean towards one end of the continuum of the scale.
Participants