Rotter first introduced the notion of locus of control in 1966, to distinguish between individuals who attributed the source of control to themselves (internal orientation) and those who felt at the mercy of external forces or fate (external orientation).
Research has shown that the two types of locus of control have very different implications for stress. For instance, people with a strong sense of personal control over their lives (internal) appear to suffer less from stressors because they believe that they exercise control over their own successes and failures.
So when we can predict a stressor it has less impact on us and perceived control is a vital element in how we react to stress. For example, in experiments unexpected electric shocks were shown to depress the immune system but, when a warning was given, no effect on the immune system was found. Uncontrollable stressors evoke a much greater stress response than a similar stressor to which the person feels he has a measure of control. This is why the elderly moving into sheltered accommodation often experience so much stress - they perceive themselves as losing control over their environment. It has also been shown that boosting a patient’s sense of control helps in the management of pain.
In addition, it would seem (Parkes 1984) that ‘internals’ and ‘externals’ display different coping strategies when experiencing stress. Whereas ‘externals’ are inclined to employ a generalised coping strategy in all situations regardless of the circumstances, ‘internals’ tend to modify their coping responses according to their appraisal of the situation encountered. ‘Internals’ may therefore be more aware of opportunities to effect a desirable outcome and so to influence the course of events. However ‘internals’ tend to be more susceptible to stress when faced with uncontrollable life events (Meadows 1989) and a disposition towards very high internality is not necessarily desirable.
Locus of control is a learned personality trait which can be modified with practice.
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