What is the relationship between self-determination and locus of control?
A critical factor related to self-determination is locus of control. Locus of control relates to the location—either external or internal—in which one places responsibility for events. When people operate with an external locus of control, they perceive limited control over what happens to them and believe that outside sources are responsible for the outcomes they experience. They do not see themselves as causal agents, but rather as passive recipients in the events of their lives. In other words, chance, fate, luck, and the actions of others—which are forces beyond their control—are perceived as the causal factors in their life experiences, rather than their own actions. When individuals operate with an internal locus of control, they feel they have control over what happens to them, and they can readily see the relationship between their actions and the outcomes. They assume the role of causal agent in their own lives, rather than that of a passive recipient of the actions of others.
