Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Locus of control refers to the extent to which individuals believe they can control the events that affect them. Specifically, it is a concept that distinguishes whether people attribute their successes or failures to their own actions (internal locus of control) or to external factors, such as luck or the influence of others (external locus of control). When someone has a belief in control over their life events, they are likely to think that their own choices and behaviors significantly influence the outcomes they experience. This belief can have profound effects on motivation, personality, and mental well-being, as individuals with a strong internal locus of control are typically more proactive in pursuing their goals and coping with challenges.

Understanding this definition clarifies that the other options don't accurately capture the essence of locus of control. For example, interpersonal relationships can be influenced by many factors beyond personal control, and while regulating emotions is an important psychological concept, it does not explicitly relate to the belief in control over life events. Similarly, the score on psychological assessments is unrelated to the individual's belief in their control over life outcomes. All of these distinctions highlight why the belief in control over one's life events stands out as the correct definition of locus of control.