Locus Of Control & Self-Assessment

Locus of control is a psychological concept that refers to how much people believe they have control over the events that affect their lives. It can be thought of as a spectrum with two main types:

Internal Locus of Control:

People with an internal locus of control believe that their own actions, decisions, and efforts directly influence the outcomes and events in their lives. They feel responsible for their successes and failures.
For example, if a student with an internal locus of control gets a good grade, they attribute it to their hard work and study habits.

External Locus of Control:

People with an external locus of control believe that external factors, such as luck, fate, other people, or the environment, are the main influences on the events and outcomes in their lives. They feel less responsible for their successes and failures.
For example, if a student with an external locus of control gets a good grade, they might attribute it to an easy test or the teacher's grading rather than their own efforts.

Assessment

Select the statement which resonates more with you. Count the number of A's and B's to determine your locus of control at the end.

Work

Career Advancement

(A) "People advance in their careers primarily due to their own efforts and abilities."
(B) "People advance in their careers mostly due to luck or being in the right place at the right time."

2. Job Performance

(A) "When I do well at work, it's because of my hard work, not because of luck or other external factors."
(B) "When I do well at work, it's often because I was lucky or had favorable circumstances."

3. Recognition

(A) "If people receive a promotion or raise, it's usually because they deserve it."
(B) "If people receive a promotion or raise, it's usually because of factors outside their influence."

Personal Relationships

4. Friendships

(A) "People have control over the quality and stability of their friendships."
(B) "The quality and stability of friendships are mostly determined by other people."

5. Conflict Resolution

(A) "I am responsible for resolving conflicts in my relationships."
(B) "Conflicts in my relationships are usually resolved based on how the other person acts."

6. Support Network

(A) "The support I get from friends and family is a result of how much effort I put into maintaining these relationships."
(B) "The support I get from friends and family depends on their willingness, not my efforts."

Health

7. Physical Health

(A) "My health outcomes are mostly a result of my own actions and lifestyle choices."
(B) "My health outcomes are mostly due to genetics or other external factors."

8. Mental Health

(A) "I feel that I can manage my stress and mental well-being through my actions."
(B) "My stress and mental well-being are mainly influenced by external events and circumstances."

9. Illness Recovery

(A) "When I get sick, my recovery depends largely on the steps I take to get better."
(B) "When I get sick, my recovery depends mostly on factors I can't control."

Education

10. Academic Success

(A) "People's grades and academic achievements are directly related to how much effort they put into their studies."
(B) "People's grades and academic achievements are mostly due to the difficulty of the material or the teacher's grading style."

11. Learning

(A) "People can master any subject if they work hard enough."
(B) "People's ability to master a subject depends mostly on how easy the subject is or how good the teacher is."

12. Class Participation

(A) "Contributions in class discussions are valued because of the effort put into preparing for them."
(B) "Contributions in class discussions are valued depending on the teacher's preferences or the class atmosphere."

Financial

13. Savings and Investments

(A) "People's financial stability is a result of their own financial planning and decisions."
(B) "People's financial stability is mostly due to the economy or external financial conditions."

14. Debt Management

(A) "If I find myself in debt, it's because of choices I have made."
(B) "If I find myself in debt, it's often due to circumstances beyond my influence."

15. Job Security

(A) "People's job security depends on their performance and how well they manage their responsibilities."
(B) "People's job security is mostly influenced by the company's performance or the overall job market."

Personal Development

16. Goal Achievement

(A) "I achieve my personal goals because I work diligently towards them."
(B) "Whether or not I achieve my personal goals depends mostly on luck or external factors."

17. Skills Improvement

(A) "Any new skill I acquire is due to my commitment to learning and practicing."
(B) "Any new skill I acquire is usually due to the opportunities and resources available to me."

18. Hobbies and Interests

(A) "The success and enjoyment I get from my hobbies are due to the effort I put into them."
(B) "The success and enjoyment I get from my hobbies depend largely on external circumstances."

General Attitudes

19. Problem Solving

(A) "People can find solutions to most problems if they try hard enough."
(B) "Most problems people face are too complex to solve without external help."

20. Life Satisfaction

(A) "Overall, I believe that I have control over the satisfaction I get from life."
(B) "Overall, the satisfaction I get from life is determined by circumstances I can't influence."

Scoring

Count the number of A's you selected.
Count the number of B's you selected.
If you selected:

Mostly A's: Strong Internal Locus of Control

Mix of A's and B's: Balanced Locus of Control

Mostly B's: Strong External Locus of Control

Disclaimer: This self-assessment is intended to provide general insight. For a more personalised assessment and professional assistance, please consult with qualified experts.

What Next?

Understanding your own locus of control can help you recognize how you perceive and react to different situations in life, and it can guide you in developing strategies to feel more empowered and in control. Additionally:

Motivation: People with an internal locus of control tend to be more motivated to take action and make changes because they believe their efforts will make a difference.
Resilience: Those with an internal locus of control are often more resilient, as they feel they can overcome challenges through their actions.
Stress: People with an external locus of control might experience more stress and feel helpless in difficult situations because they believe they have little control over what happens.

Remember, Locus of Control should be seen as a spectrum that is dynamic and differs across various areas of your life. An internal locus of control means you believe in your power to influence outcomes through your actions, which can lead to greater motivation and satisfaction. On the other hand, recognising external factors helps manage what’s beyond your control. Balancing both perspectives can help you navigate life more effectively, and this balance can evolve with practice.