Locus of Control, Cultural Differences in

Internal Versus External Locus of Control

As a part of a social learning theory, Julian B. Rotter believed that an internal or external locus of control is an important part of who you are as an individual—a part of your individual personality. As a person develops from infancy through childhood, behaviors are learned by receiving reinforcement from his or her caregiver. Throughout development, children will learn that their behavior influences reinforcement or reinforcement influences behavior. This experience influences the development of future behavior in almost all situations and creates an expectancy of whether reinforcement is internally or externally controlled.

Individuals with a high internal locus of control believe that they influence or control the events in their lives. they have better control of their behavior, tend to exhibit more political behaviors, and are more likely to attempt to influence other people than those with a low internal locus of control. Individuals with a high internal locus of control are also more likely to assume that their efforts will be successful and are more active in seeking information and knowledge concerning their situation. they also tend to be more self-reliant and take pride in their victories while feeling shamed when defeated.

On the other hand, people with a high external locus of control believe that outside factors (i.e., luck, fate, or other people) influence or control their decisions and events in their lives. they are more likely to lower their goals and expectations, [Page 804]whereas an individual with a low external locus of control would work for achievements and set long-term goals for him-or herself. As part of his theory of locus of control, Julian Rotter proposed that individuals with a high internal locus of control tend to be higher in achievement motivation than those with a high external locus of control.

Some research attention has been directed toward whether people from different cultures vary in locus of control. For example, Asian Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans from upper and lower socioeconomic classes do not have identical world views. Moreover, research in the area suggests that locus of control has been a useful concept for researchers in a cross-cultural field of human services. Ethnic groups within the United States have been compared on levels of locus of control, and African Americans are more external than Caucasians—even within a controlled socioeconomic status. Rotter proposed three potential sources for the development of an internal or external locus of control: cultural differences, socioeconomic differences, and variations in styles of parenting. Finally, he affirmed that those with a high internal locus of control are more likely than externals to (1) learn information about their lives based on their behaviors and make better decisions in the future, (2) commit to change and improvements in their lives, (3) place value on inner achievement, and (4) are less likely to be manipulated by others.

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