Locus of Control

Locus of control is a person's interpretation of what causes and controls the events in his or her life. Julian Rotter proposed the construct of locus of control in the 1960s as locus of control of reinforcement combining elements of cognitive and behavioral psychology. This is the belief that either the person or something outside of the person is in control of his or her life. In normal development, an individual progresses from an external orientation as an infant to a more internal orientation as an adult. This developmental shift occurs as the child grows and feels increasingly competent and independent in responding and controlling the various circumstances and events of his or her life. The belief that one is in control of the controllable ...