Rotter (1966) Locus of Control – Summary, Evaluation and Free PDF Download
Are you revising for A-Level or AP Psychology and looking for a clear breakdown of Rotter’s (1966) Locus of Control theory? You’re in the right place!
In this post, we’ll explain Rotter’s theory, summarise the original study, evaluate its strengths and limitations, and give you access to a free downloadable PDF summary to boost your revision.
What is Locus of Control?
Julian Rotter developed the concept of Locus of Control in 1966 as part of his social learning theory. He argued that our behaviour is influenced by how much control we feel we have over our lives.
- Internal Locus of Control: You believe you control your outcomes through your own actions and decisions.
- External Locus of Control: You believe your outcomes are determined by fate, luck, or external circumstances.
Rotter (1966) – Summary of the Study
Rotter proposed a scale to measure locus of control and found that individuals differ in how much control they perceive in their lives. His work laid the foundation for understanding personality and behaviour in psychology, particularly in areas like **education, health, and social influence**.
Evaluation of Locus of Control
- Strength: Supported by research. Holland (1967) found that people with an internal locus were more likely to resist obedience.
- Limitation: Culturally biased – individualistic cultures value internal control more than collectivist ones.
- Limitation: The Rotter scale may oversimplify – people can be internal in one area and external in another.
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Why It’s Important
Rotter’s theory is often used to explain resistance to social influence such as why some people conform or obey less than others. Internals are more likely to feel responsible for their actions — a useful point in exam essays on social influence.
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