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Locus of Control Survey Results

Interpretation of Your Score

Locus of control describes an individual's sense of "agency", or "empowerment". Higher scores (i.e. "Internal" locus of control) reflect a sense of personal empowerment and are associated with a more optimistic outlook.

Lower scores (i.e. "External" locus of control) reflect an individual's sense of being "done to" or even victimised. There is a correlation between very low scores and the psychological concept of "learned helplessness".

It is important to understand that all of us will feel less empowered in some circumstances and at particular points of time. Consequently, your survey results are a "snapshot" of this point in time. Average scores of western men tend to be a little higher than those obtained for women. There are also religious and cultural/ethnic differences noted in the literature.

• 0- 4; Very strong external locus of control
• 5 - 9; External locus of control
• 10 - 14; Both external and internal locus of control
• 15 - 19; Internal locus of control
• 19 - 23; Very strong internal locus of control

If your score is less than 9, you may want to reflect on what "scripts" dictate your thinking. Do you frequently think negative thoughts about yourself? If so, why? Perhaps there is a significant circumstance in your life at the moment (e.g. health, family, work-related) that makes you feel less in charge of your life? Is there someone objective with whom you can talk through your thoughts and feelings?

Regardless of who we are, or what our standing is in the community, when faced with the challenges of life a healthy response is to think and act in terms of "What can we do about this?"

How the Locus of Control Survey Works

Six of the 29 items are "filler" items (Nos. 1, 8, 14, 19, 24 and 27). In other words, selecting "Statement 1" or "Statement 2" does not affect your score one way or the other. They can be scored in the direction of internality or externality. Consequently, the highest possible score in this survey is 23.

"Filler" Items

Question 1

1. Children get into trouble because their parents punish them too much.
2. The trouble with most children nowadays is that their parents are too easy with them.

Question 8

1. Heredity plays the major role in determining one's personality.
2. It is one's experiences in life which determine what they're like.

Question 14

1. There are certain people who are just no good.
2. There is some good in everybody.

Question 19

1. One should always be willing to admit mistakes.
2. It is usually best to cover up one's mistakes.

Question 24

1. A good leader expects people to decide for themselves what they should do.
2. A good leader makes it clear to everybody what their jobs are.

Question 27

1. There is too much emphasis on athletics in high school.
2. Team sports are an excellent way to build character.

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