Internal Locus of Control
The belief that events in one’s life, whether good or bad, are caused by controllable factors such as one’s attitude, preparation, and effort.
Example: When the boy failed a test, he acknowledged that he hadn’t studied enough and didn’t understand a few of its key questions. He resolved to meet with his teacher for advice on ways to improve next time.
External Locus of Control
The belief that events in one’s life, whether good or bad, are caused by uncontrollable factors such as the environment, other people, or a higher power.
Example: Whenever he fails a test, the boy always has an excuse ready: the room was too hot, he wasn’t feeling well, the test was unfair. He never seems to feel culpable, even if he simply hasn’t studied enough
What Is Learned Helplessness??
Learned helplessness occurs when an animal is repeatedly subjected to an aversive stimulus that it cannot escape. Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation. Even when opportunities to escape are presented, this learned helplessness will prevent any action.
Learned helplessness occurs when an animal is repeatedly subjected to an aversive stimulus that it cannot escape. Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation. Even when opportunities to escape are presented, this learned helplessness will prevent any action.
Explanatory style
is a psychological attribute that indicates how people explain to themselves why they experience a particular event, either positive or negative. Psychologists have identified three components in explanatory style:
is a psychological attribute that indicates how people explain to themselves why they experience a particular event, either positive or negative. Psychologists have identified three components in explanatory style:
- Personal. (Internal vs. External.) This involves how one explains where the cause of an event arises. People experiencing events may see themselves as the cause; that is, they have internalized the cause for the event. Example: "I always forget to make that turn" (internal) as opposed to "That turn can sure sneak up on you" (external).
- Permanent. (Stable vs. Unstable.) This involves how one explains the extent of the cause. People may see the situation as unchangeable, e.g., "I always lose my keys" or "I never forget a face".
- Pervasive. (Global vs. Local/Specific.) This involves how one explains the extent of the effects. People may see the situation as affecting all aspects of life, e.g., "I can't do anything right" or "Everything I touch seems to turn to gold
how these terms are related to the social cognitive view
- Locus of Control
- Locus of control describes persons interpretation of responsibility for events
- External locus of control: Generalized expectancies that events are outside of ones control
- Internal locus of control: Generalized expectancies that reinforcing events are under ones control, and that one is responsible for major life outcomes
- Rotters "expectancy model" of learning behavior
- Learning depends on the degree to which a person values a reinforcer—its reinforcement value
- People differ in their expectations for reinforcement—some believe they are in control of outcomes, whereas others do not
- Animals (including humans) when subjected to unpleasant and inescapable circumstances, become passive and accepting of a situation, in effect learning to be helpless
- Explanatory style: Tendency that some people have to use certain attributional categories when explaining causes of events
- Three broad categories of attributions
- External or internal
- Stable or unstable
- Global or specific
- Pessimistic explanatory style
- Emphasizes internal, stable, and global causes for negative events
- Associated with feelings of helplessness and poor adjustment
- Explanatory style is stable over time