Locus of Control

Career Diagnostic's Locus of Control survey assesses the way students/teachers view how much they feel they have control in their lives. On a scale from 1-23, the lower the score, the more externalized the individual's since of empowerment is. The higher scoring individuals feel more in control of their lives and what is happening to them and around them. It is supposed to mean that the individuals take a less active role in trying to produce the outcome of situations if they score a lower test score. Also, it means that if your outcome is on the higher end of the scale, you may be unnecessarily blaming yourself for things that were out of your control, causing low self-esteem or other such problems.

I scored a sad 6 on the scale, resulting in "External locus of control." I do not agree with this about myself. While it is true that I do accredit a lot of things (both good and bad) that have happened to me to fate or luck or whatever; however, I am always looking for ways to control the outcomes towards the best possible ends for myself and others whom are involved. I feel like this test result makes me out to be a person who doesn't apply myself and strives to do and be the best I can at all times, and that is just not me. My favorite quote/song is "Que Sera Sera", translated as "What will be will be." So, I do not think that the test misjudged that outlook. Although I do feel slighted because I can work so hard yet still cannot always control the outcomes of life.

Having awareness of this personality characteristic is helpful to students and teachers because it helps to show them that they may not be taking as much control over their actions as they could. I think that being aware of such attitudes can be used to help people improve their position on things, whether it is taking more responsibility for their lives or realizing they are holding too much blame on themselves.