Rotter’s Internal & External Locus of Control
3 Steps for going from external to internal Validation
This week, we’re breaking down Julian B. Rotter’s (1966) Locus of control theory.
A prominent American psychologist of Ohio State University, and later Connecticut University, Rotter is best know for what we’re about to discuss. When conducting research into the nature of student performance, the professor stumbled onto an insight that became one of the most cited social psychological pieces ever written.
By reading this, you’ll understand:
Why some people overcome challenges while others crumble
How some people can stay motivated indefinitely while others give up
How to apply the benefits of this science in 3 simple steps
👨🏫 Quick Breakdown
Terminology
Locus: ‘a place/position that something is located’
There are 2 types of individuals:
Those with an external locus/sense of control (place the responsibility of life-events outside of their control)
Those with an internal locus/sense of control (place the responsibility of life-events within their control)
When faced with a challenging/unfortunate event, type 1 don’t feel like they the ability to enact change on this event.
This is essentially a victim mentality.
Type 2 however, will feel and think that they can/should take action in response to this bad event. This leads to type 2s being a lot more successful in many areas in life than type 1s – due to their willingness to take an undesirable situation, face it, and improve it.
❤️ How this applies to our lives
“The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t, are both right”
– Confucius
Use the example of illness.
The person who blames:
His genes
His environment
His God
Will likely worsen his condition.
Though he may be logically right:
(perhaps he’s more genetically susceptible, or he caught it from a co-worker, or maybe God really does hate him, judging from his crummy life so far).
It is the person who, accepting the situation for what it is, takes action, and:
Ensures she gets enough rest
Researches and includes beneficial foods or supplements in her diet
Stays positive despite drawing a bad hand (stress catalyses poor health)
Thay will come off better in the long-run.
You can apply this framework to any problem – the person with an internal locus of control will 99% of time come out better-off.
🧠 How to go from external to internal validation
Ultimately, what distinguishes type 1 and 2s, is whether they validate themselves externally or internally.
One judges themselves and world from the perspective of others. The other, from their own volition. It’s worth thinking about how you deal with problems: do you act on the issue at hand with a cool, calm head? Or do you get carried away by how you feel emotionally?
It’s really quite stoic.
This how you take control.
1) When a problem arises, calm yourself
Breath
Don’t take it personally (this is what leads to looking for something/someone to blame)
Understand it’s not worth your peace
2) Come up with a plan
What are the x steps I can take to improve this?
Do they only include things within my control? (not blaming others)
How do I go about doing this?
3) Execute and repeat
Do the thing
Get used to this process
You need to do it everyday until it becomes sencond-nature
You are now a type 2, you have an internal sense of control/validation.
📝 Final Thoughts & Summary
There are 2 types of people in this theory: type 1s (external locus of control) and type 2s (internal locus of control)
Type 1s blame others and put responsibility on factors outside of their control
Type 2s have responsibility, and take action to improve the situation
You want to be type 2
Become a type 2 by remaining calm, thinking things through logically, never blaming others, and only focusing on factors within your control
Thanks for reading.
Let me know your thoughts.
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References & bonus links
Rotter, Julian B (1966). "Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement". Psychological Monographs: General and Applied. 80 (1): 1–28.
Thank you! Great advice and analysis :)