Question

Jane believes that she got a bad grade on her psychology paper because her professor doesn't like her. Jane most likely has an __________ locus of control. a. internal b. external c. intrinsic d. extrinsic

Short answer

b. external

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

In the context of personality psychology, an internal locus of control refers to the belief that an individual can control their own life. On the other hand, an external locus of control refers to the belief that outside forces determine life's outcomes.

Apply the terms to Jane's situation

Jane attributes her bad grade to her professor's personal feelings about her, rather than her own efforts or abilities. This demonstrates a belief in external forces determining life's outcomes.

Select the correct option

Given Jane's attribution of her bad grade to her professor's feelings towards her, it can be concluded that Jane most likely possesses an external locus of control. So the answer is (b. external).

Key concepts

Personality Psychology

Personality psychology is a vibrant field that explores how individuals differ in their patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It's the study of individual differences and the intricate puzzle of mental structures and processes that make up a person's core personality traits. This branch of psychology delves into the consistent behaviors and experiences that differentiate one person from another.

Understanding personality psychology provides insight into how people react to various situations and how these reactions are linked to their perception of control over their environment. Exploring this domain helps us comprehend why individuals, like Jane in the exercise, might interpret the same situation differently based on their unique personality constructs.

External Locus of Control

An external locus of control is a psychological concept indicating that individuals believe their lives are primarily controlled by external factors, such as luck, fate, or other people. They perceive that external circumstances, rather than their own actions, have a more significant impact on what happens to them.

For instance, individuals like Jane, who blame poor outcomes on factors beyond their personal influence, such as a professor's dislike, demonstrate an external locus of control. This perspective can affect motivation and behavior, as those with a pronounced external locus may feel less empowered to change their situations.

Attribution Theory

Attribution theory examines how individuals infer the causes of their own and others' behaviors. It's concerned with the cognitive processes we use to attribute causes to events, which in turn shape our reactions to the world around us. According to this theory, people can ascribe their successes or failures to internal factors within themselves or to external factors outside of their control.

When Jane attributes her bad grade to her professor's personal feelings, she utilizes external attribution. This way of interpreting events is crucial for understanding how people maintain their self-concept, often using attributions to buffer self-esteem against failure or negative feedback. Someone with an external locus of control, as Jane exhibits, will be more likely to use external attributions.

Internal Locus of Control

In contrast to the external locus of control, an internal locus of control is the belief that one has the power to affect the events in their own life through their decisions and actions. People with a strong internal locus of control tend to think that their personal efforts, skills, and attributes are the driving forces behind their successes and failures.

Those with an internal locus are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and are often more motivated to work toward change because they believe they can influence outcomes. They would interpret a situation like Jane's by examining personal effort or strategy rather than attributing the result to an external factor.