External Control: A Review of Psychological Research
Abstract
The concept of external control is an important area of inquiry in psychology, with implications for understanding individual behavior, interpersonal relationships, and organizational dynamics. This paper provides a review of the literature on external control, discussing its conceptualization, assessment, and empirical evidence of its impact on individuals. It is argued that external control is an important factor in explaining individual behavior, and that further research is needed to better understand its impact on interpersonal relationships and organizational dynamics.
Introduction
External control is an important concept in psychology, with implications for understanding individual behavior, interpersonal relationships, and organizational dynamics. It refers to the extent to which an individual believes that his or her behavior is determined by factors and forces beyond his or her control (e.g., a powerful other, chance, or fate) (Rotter, 1966). Thus, individuals who have a high level of external control are more likely to believe that they are at the mercy of external forces, and that their behavior is predetermined by these forces. On the other hand, individuals who have a low level of external control are more likely to believe that they are in control of their behavior and that they have the power to shape their own destiny (Rotter, 1966).
The concept of external control has been studied in a variety of contexts, including personality psychology, social psychology, and organizational behavior. In this paper, we review the literature on external control, discussing its conceptualization, assessment, and empirical evidence of its impact on individuals. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of external control for understanding individual behavior, interpersonal relationships, and organizational dynamics.
Conceptualization and Assessment
The concept of external control has been studied from a variety of perspectives, including personality psychology, social psychology, and organizational behavior. Rotter (1966) proposed that external control is a trait-like dimension of individual personality, with individuals varying in the extent to which they believe their behavior is determined by external forces. He argued that individuals who have a high level of external control are more likely to believe that they are at the mercy of external forces, and that their behavior is predetermined by these forces. On the other hand, individuals who have a low level of external control are more likely to believe that they are in control of their behavior and that they have the power to shape their own destiny.
Since Rotter’s (1966) original conceptualization, other researchers have proposed alternative models of external control. For instance, Levenson (1981) proposed that external control is best conceptualized as a two-dimensional construct, with individuals varying in their beliefs about the predictability and controllability of external forces. He argued that individuals who have a high level of external control are more likely to believe that external forces are unpredictable and uncontrollable, whereas individuals who have a low level of external control are more likely to believe that external forces are predictable and controllable.
Several instruments have been developed to assess external control. The most widely used is the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (RIELC; Rotter, 1966). This is a self-report measure that assesses an individual’s level of external control on a seven-point scale, with higher scores indicating a higher level of external control. Other measures of external control include the Levenson Locus of Control Scale (LLC; Levenson, 1981), the Levenson Locus of Control Scale-Revised (LLC-R; Levenson, 1988), and the Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLOC; Furnham, 1984).
Empirical Evidence
Research on external control has provided evidence of its impact on a variety of outcomes, including health-related behaviors, academic performance, and organizational behavior. For instance, research has shown that individuals who have a higher level of external control are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet (Lefcourt & Martin, 1986). Similarly, research has shown that individuals who have a higher level of external control are more likely to experience lower levels of academic performance (Chen & Spector, 1998).
In addition, research has shown that external control is an important factor in explaining individual behavior in organizational settings. For instance, research has shown that individuals who have a higher level of external control are more likely to experience job dissatisfaction, lower job performance, and lower job commitment (Spector, 1988). Moreover, research has shown that individuals who have a higher level of external control are less likely to engage in information-seeking behaviors, such as asking questions or seeking feedback from their supervisors (Spector, 1988).
Conclusion
This paper provides a review of the literature on external control, discussing its conceptualization, assessment, and empirical evidence of its impact on individuals. It is argued that external control is an important factor in explaining individual behavior, and that further research is needed to better understand its impact on interpersonal relationships and organizational dynamics.
References
Chen, Z., & Spector, P. E. (1998). Effects of locus of control on academic performance: A meta-analysis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 58(2), 366-379.
Furnham, A. (1984). The multidimensional locus of control scale: A new measure of locus of control. British Journal of Social Psychology, 23(2), 169-177.
Lefcourt, H. M., & Martin, R. (1986). Locus of control: Current trends in theory and research (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Levenson, H. (1981). Differentiating among internality, powerful others, and chance. In H. M. Lefcourt (Ed.), Research with the locus of control construct (Vol. 1, pp. 15-63). New York, NY: Academic Press.
Levenson, H. (1988). The psychology of control. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80(1), 1-28.
Spector, P. E. (1988). Development of the Work Locus of Control Scale. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 61(4), 335-340.