How to Develop the Internal Locus of Control

The Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, developed by Julian Rotter, is a valid predictor of personality and behavior. Those with an internal locus of control attribute successes and failures to personal efforts and abilities. Those with an external locus of control attribute successes and failures to circumstances and events beyond personal control. An individual must take responsibility for events in order to develop an internal locus of control.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Word processing program
• Paper
• Pen or pencil
• Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Access a word processing program, or use paper and a pen or a pencil.

• 2

  Create a list of past goals and events. Indicate next to each goal or event if the success or failure was due to your actions or the actions of someone else. Explain why.

• 3

  Review the list using a different perspective. Explain how the successes or failures that you attributed to someone else could be a result of your actions.

• 4

  List future goals and events. Determine the likelihood of failure and success. Explain how your actions may lead to success or failure.

• 5

  Save the lists. Print if typed on the computer. Keep the lists accessible to review often.

• 6

  Access and take the Locus of Control Test found on the UNC Department of Psychology website. A high score correlates to an external locus of control; a low score correlates to an internal locus of control.

• 7

  Print your results. Save with your lists.

• 8

  Update the future goals with how your actions shaped the results. Do not include how circumstances beyond your control influenced the results.

• 9

  Retake the test to measure your development towards an internal locus of control.