Click on the button next to the one statement that best describes how you feel.

Click on the button next to the one statement that best describes how you feel. When you are finished answering each of the 12 questions, click the submit button to reveal your score. Scores range from 0 – 12. A higher score indicates an internal locus of control while a lower score indicates an external locus of control.
Now that you have received your score from the self-assessment scale, consider the following information that was presented to you from the textbook. As you may remember from your reading in chapter 11, Julian Rotter (1966) “believed that people possess a tendency toward either an internal or an external locus of control. Those of us with an internal locus of control (‘internals’) tend to believe that most of our outcomes are the direct result of our efforts. Those of us with an external locus of control (‘externals’) tend to believe that our outcomes are outside of our control. Externals see their lives as being controlled by other people, luck, or chance.” Furthermore, as stated in this chapter, “perceived control is our beliefs about our personal capacity to exert influence over and shape outcomes, and it has major implications for our health and happiness (Infurna & Gerstorf, 2014). Extensive research has demonstrated that perceptions of personal control are associated with a variety of favorable outcomes, such as better physical and mental health and greater psychological well-being (Diehl & Hay, 2010). Greater personal control is also associated with lower reactivity to stressors in daily life.” The good news about locus of control is that it is not a hard-wired “personality” trait. With some reflection, a person can choose to adopt a more internal locus of control in how they approach situations in their life. To help you with this self reflection, please answer the following questions.
Part 2: Activity – Making the Decision to Take Control
Answer the following based on your score from the Self-assessment Scale.
Do you primarily have an internal or external locus of control?
How do you think your childhood experiences may have affected your perceived sense of control?
List two examples of how your locus of control may be impacting your current decision making.
What words and phrases do you use that reflect your locus of control? Examples: (“If it is to be, it is up to me” internal) or (“Why is this happening to me?” external)
List two behaviors that you would be interested in changing about yourself. Do you believe your perceived sense of control will influence your success in making these changes? Why?
What specific steps, if any, could you take to change your locus of control?
Chapter Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between mental and physical health (e.g., psychological disorders, health and well–being, therapy) (C6).
Sources:
Diehl, M., & Hay, E. L. (2010). Risk and resilience factors in coping with daily stress in adulthood: The role of age, self-concept incoherence, and personal control. Developmental Psychology, 46, 1132–1146.
Infurna, F. J., & Gerstorf, D. (2014). Perceived control relates to better functional health and lower cardio-metabolic risk: The mediating role of physical activity. Health Psychology, 33, 85–94.
LOC Self-assessment Scale is based on J.B. Rotter (1966) Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement, Psychological Monographs, 80, (1, Whole No. 609).
Portions of this lesson were adapted and excerpted from the following book: O’Neill, B. and Ensle, K. (2006). Small Steps to Health and Wealth. Ithaca, NY: NRAES.
Rubric
Self-Assessment & Reflection Rubric
Self-Assessment & Reflection Rubric
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent and idea development
10 ptsExcellent: Well-developed ideas; Posts are reflective, substantive, and factual.
9 ptsGood: Some development of ideas; Posts include some reflection and thought.
8 ptsAcceptable: Basic ideas; lacks reflection and is not substantive.
7 ptsUnacceptable: non-performance or ideas unclear; lacks substance, and irrelevant.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClarity/Writing Mechanics
5 ptsExcellent: Post is clear, concise, and easy to read. Free of spelling or grammatical errors. Format includes introduction, body, and conclusion and transitions smoothly between paragraphs.
4 ptsGood: Post concise with minimal spelling or grammatical errors. Writing is organized and includes introduction, body and conclusion, lacks smooth transitions between paragraphs.
3 ptsAcceptable: Post contains spelling and grammatical errors. Writing is unorganized, lacking introduction, body, and conclusion. No transitions between paragraphs.
2 ptsUnacceptable: Non-performance or major errors in spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion Completion
5 ptsNo Description
Completed all questions
4 ptsNo Description
Completed most questions
3 ptsNo Description
Completed some questions
0 ptsNo Marks
5 pts
Total Points: 20