Health psychology/Models & behaviour · Behavioural model

Locus of control

What it means

Rotter’s concept: the degree to which people believe outcomes result from their own actions (internal) versus luck, fate or powerful others (external).

Worked example

An "internal" patient believes adherence will control his diabetes; an "external" one feels it is in fate’s hands.

In the exam

One patient believes his recovery depends on what he himself does; another feels it is entirely down to luck and the doctors — a difference in where he locates control.

What settles it

Locus of control is a belief about WHO/WHAT controls outcomes. Learned helplessness is the giving-up that follows perceived uncontrollability.

Classically confused with

Learned helplessness

Source: Rotter