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locus of control

a construct that is used to categorize people’s basic motivational orientations and perceptions of how much control they have over the conditions of their lives. People with an external locus of control tend to behave in response to external circumstances and to perceive their life outcomes as arising from factors out of their control. People with an internal locus of control tend to behave in response to internal states and intentions and to perceive their life outcomes as arising from the exercise of their own agency and abilities. [introduced into psychology by Julian Rotter]

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

developmental dysgraphia

developmental dysgraphia

see disorder of written expression.