The Relationship between Locus of Control and Perceived Stress Levels

The Relationship between Locus of Control and

Perceived Stress Levels

Abstract

This report will investigate the relationship between locus of control

and professional life stress in people. The aim of this study is to

look at whether they have an internal or external locus of control,

which determines how the individual perceives and copes with

situations and life events, and how stressed they are due to this. It

is theorized that people with a high external locus of control have

higher levels of reported stress. This study examined this theory by

testing this effect on 186 participants. It found that there was a

weak, positive correlation, and the result was not significant.

Introduction

Originally established within the structure of Rotter’s (1954) social

learning theory,

Locus of Control assesses to what extent each individual perceives a

factor or factors that he or she thinks may be responsible for the

outcome of an event or situation. Different patterns of reinforcement

then lead to differences in belief.

An internal locus of control indicates that the individual’s behaviour

and other life events, whether positive or negative, are determined by

internal factors; they are dependent on themselves and their ability

to control or change life events or behaviours.

In contrast, an external locus of control indicates that external

factors, also positive or negative and for which they have no control

over, influence an individual’s behaviour and life events.

People with a high internal locus of control tend to be more highly

motivated, achieving and independent than externals. They strongly

believe that they can control their destiny, which may explain why

they are more dominant.

In comparison, people with a high external locus of control have a

tendency to see themselves as powerless in controlling their own

lives. Therefore, their development of decision-making skills is poor,

because they genuinely believe that the choices they make will not

have much or any influence in the way their life turns out. These

individuals believe that life events are associated with factors such