Reference no: EM133635441

Locus of Control: In Control or Out of Control?

Do you act in the world or does the world act upon you? If it is both, what degree do you have a choice in how the world acts upon you? "...each of us is placed along a continuum called locus of control. At one end of this dimension, we find individuals with an extreme internal orientation-those who believe that most of what happens to them is the result of their own actions or attributes. On the other end we find people who hold an extreme external orientation-those who maintain that much of what happens to them is the result of forces outside their control, such as chance or powerful others." (Burger, pg. 355, 2015). Locus of control can have an individual impact on achievement and health.

Yet, locus of control falls on a continuum. If you find you believe totally in your ability to act upon others in the world, do you believe you are the only person with free will? If you believe that the world always acts upon you, do you believe you lack all free will? Do our subconscious beliefs and implicit learning influence our perception of the level of internal control we think we have? "... just because people believe they are in control does not mean they actually exercise control" (Burger, pg. 405, 2015). "(Julian) Rotter argued, we rely on general beliefs about our ability to influence events" (Burger, pg. 404, 2015).

Application

Julian Rotter said, "behavior was a function of both expectancy and reinforcement value" (Burger, pg. 410, 2015). Believing your actions can affect your health is not enough. Great value must be placed on having good health. For an internal locus of control, one must believe in their ability to achieve and place value on the achievement process and respect the achievement of others. An internal locus of control lends to having more respect for the choices of others without feeling a need to control them. Psychotherapy generally moves clients to a more internal locus of control where clients become more internal as they pass through successful treatment (Burger, pg. 410, 2015). Counselors should remain mindful of the orientation and cultural awareness in how the client perceives control. On page 409, wording for a brochure targeted to women with an internal locus of control would state, "The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health." or "You hold the key to your health."

For an external locus of control perception, the brochure stated, "The Best Thing Medical Science Has to Offer for Your Health" or "Health care providers hold the key to your health." "Although internals respond well when given control over their treatment, external sometimes do better when treatment remains in the therapist's hands" (Burger, pg. 408, 2015). An external locus of control can lend to learned helplessness, where extreme internal locus of control can lend to relationship problems. "The researchers speculate that the spouse's care was seen as helpful by the externals but as an indication of dependence by the internals" (Burger, pg. 410, 2015).

Locus

Locus means particular position, point, or place. There is a place in all of us where we can have the freedom to choose in all situations yet accept our lack of control on the world with harmony and contentment. In this freedom we are in a space of being present in the moment, calling upon our internal spirit to guide us. "At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God, which is never at our disposal, from which God disposes of our lives, which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our own mind or the brutalities of our own will. This little point of nothingness and of absolute poverty is the pure glory of God in us" (Fox et al, 2015). Choosing to surrender to the light within us, let's us shine light in the darkness.

Questions:

1. From your perspective, does your mind have the power to control your physiology and psychology? In other words, can you will yourself into better health or greater happiness?

2. Pertaining to your personal experience, where do you see your locus of control on the continuum?

3. As a counselor, list one or more ways you will help your client shift from a strong external locus of control to a more internal locus of control.