Who Controls Your Fate

How people perceive the source of control over their lives is explained in the psychological concept "locus of control." People with an internal locus of control believe that they control their own destiny – they are the primary actors in their own lives. Those with an external locus of control believe that people and fate are the determining factors in what happens to them. They are at the mercy of outside forces.

Our lives are profoundly influenced by whether we believe that internal or external factors determine our fate. As an example, Jim is interested in dating. His friend suggests they go to a dance so he can meet someone. Twice Jim goes up to a woman and says, "Hi, I'm Jim. I'm a Pisces. What's your sign?" Both times the women make a hasty retreat. If Jim is an internal, he will realize that his tactic is not working and he needs to try something different. It is up to him to change the outcome.  But if Jim is an external, he will go up to a third woman and repeat the same approach. He will believe that something is wrong with the women and leave or go up to a third woman and repeat the same approach, depending on whether his external locus of control is primarily people or luck. Either way, he is not responsible.

The following test will help you determine where your locus of control lies. The three types are internal locus of control, external locus of control – people, and external locus of control – luck.

Choose the number that best describes your response to the questions.
1 = strongly disagree
2 = somewhat disagree
3 = slightly disagree
4 = slightly agree
5 = somewhat agree
6 = strongly agree

1. _____Whether or not I get into a car accident depends mostly on how good a driver I am.
2. _____When I make plans I almost always make them work.
3. _____When I get what I want it is usually because I get lucky.
4. _____Although I might have the ability to be a leader, I won't become one unless I appeal to people
                in positions of power.
5. _____How many friends I have depends on how nice a person I am.
6. _____I believe that what is going to happen will happen, no matter what I do to stop it.
7. _____It seems like my life is controlled by people who have more power than I do.
8. _____It's not wise for me to plan too far ahead because many things turn out to be a matter of good
                or bad fortune.
9. _____Getting what I want means I have to please those people above me.
10._____Whether or not I get to be a leader depends on whether I'm lucky enough to be in the right
                  place at the right time.
11. _____If important people were to decide they didn't like me, I probably wouldn't make many
                   friends.
12. _____Whether or not I get into a car accident depends mostly on other drivers.
13. _____When I get what I want, it's usually because I worked hard for it.
14. _____My life is determined by my own actions.
15. _____Whether I have a few friends or many friends is really just a matter of fate.

Add up your number responses to questions 1, 2, 5, 16 and 17; then add up your number responses to 4, 7, 9, 11 and 12; and finally, questions 3, 6, 8, 10 and 15.

If the highest sum was the first group (questions 1, 2, 5, 16 and 17), you have an internal locus of control. You believe that your own efforts make a big difference in what happens to you. If the highest sum was the second group (questions 4, 7, 9, 11 and 12), you have an external locus of control – people. You believe that nothing you do makes much difference because powerful people determine most of your fate. If the highest sum was the third group (questions 3, 6, 8, 10 and 15), you have an external locus of control – luck. You believe that the events in your life are determined by luck; you tend to sit back and just see what happens.

It is possible to be an unhappy, anxious internal, particularly if your expectations of yourself and your influence are unreasonably high. Likewise, it is possible to be a happy, well-adjusted external.

In general, it is more desirable to have a reasonable internal locus of control while recognizing the influence of others and unforeseen events. Research findings show that internals are more likely to work for achievement and tolerate delays in rewards, are better able to resist coercion, are more likely to learn from past experiences, are less prone to risky behaviors, and are more willing to work on self-improvement and better themselves through remedial work.

Where our locus of control lies is not genetically determined. It is determined by our own beliefs and, like all beliefs, can be changed. Perhaps the first step is to change the belief "I can't help it" into one of "I can help it."