Who developed the concept of locus of control?

Who developed the concept of locus of control?

• A. Julian B. Rotter
• B. Sigmund Freud
• C. B. F. Skinner
• D. Abraham Maslow

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how people perceive control over events in their lives—whether outcomes come from one's own actions or from external forces. This locus of control concept was introduced by Julian B. Rotter as part of his social learning theory, describing how internalizers believe they can influence results through effort and behavior, while externals see outcomes as driven by luck, fate, or powerful others. This perception influences motivation and how people approach tasks or challenges, which is why Rotter is the correct originator of the concept. Other pioneers came from different areas: Sigmund Freud focused on unconscious drives in psychoanalysis, B. F. Skinner emphasized reinforcement and behavior through operant conditioning, and Abraham Maslow organized needs into a hierarchy. While their work shaped psychology, they did not coin the locus of control idea.

The idea being tested is how people perceive control over events in their lives—whether outcomes come from one's own actions or from external forces. This locus of control concept was introduced by Julian B. Rotter as part of his social learning theory, describing how internalizers believe they can influence results through effort and behavior, while externals see outcomes as driven by luck, fate, or powerful others. This perception influences motivation and how people approach tasks or challenges, which is why Rotter is the correct originator of the concept.

Other pioneers came from different areas: Sigmund Freud focused on unconscious drives in psychoanalysis, B. F. Skinner emphasized reinforcement and behavior through operant conditioning, and Abraham Maslow organized needs into a hierarchy. While their work shaped psychology, they did not coin the locus of control idea.