Do I Have An External Locus Of Control?

Do you often believe that luck or chance are the cause of your successes?

Do you often feel hopeless or powerless when facing difficult situations?

Do you experience learned helplessness (i.e., when you feel that you have no control over your situation, you may start to behave in a helpless manner, which may lead to overlooking opportunities for change)?

Do you blame outside forces for your circumstances?

Do you refuse to believe that you can change your situation through your own efforts?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you have an external locus of control. Locus of control is the extent to which we feel that we have control over the events that influence our lives. If you believe that you have no control over what happens in your life and blame external factors, then you have an external locus of control. On the contrary, if you believe that you do have control over what happens, then you have an internal locus of control. In many cases, an internal locus of control is preferred because it means that you believe that your own actions can change situations.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs of having an external locus of control. Your locus of control influences how you respond to events in your life and also your motivation to take action. If you believe you have the power of your fate, you are more likely to take action to change your situation (internal locus of control). But if you don’t believe the outcome is in your own hands, you will be less motivated to work toward change (external locus of control). Keep in mind that locus of control is a continuum. Most people lie somewhere on the continuum between both.

Based on your answers, you are displaying the signs of having an external locus of control. Your locus of control can have a huge impact on your life. It influences how you cope with stress and also your motivation to change where needed. In many cases, an internal locus of control is preferred because it means that you believe that your own actions can change situations. Therefore, in your case, it may be useful to actively try to change how you view situations that happen to you. Think about actions you can take that will have a (positive) impact on the outcome!