believe they are in control does not mean they actually exercise control. Highly
internal people may invest their efforts inefficiently chasing rainbows or mak-
ing plans at odds with reality. Perhaps externals understand their limits andwork to achieve only what is reasonably attainable.
Of course, happiness is determined by many factors, and we can point to
happy and unhappy people at any point of the locus of control spectrum.Nonetheless, researchers find that, with a few exceptions, internals tend to be
happier than externals (DeNeve & Cooper, 1998; Ng, Sorensen, & Eby, 2006).
To better understand this conclusion, let ’s look at the connection between
locus of control and a few markers of psychological well-being: psychological
disorders, achievement, and psychotherapy results.
Psychological Disorders
People suffering from psychological disorders tend to be more external than
internal (Lefcourt, 1982; Phares, 1976; Strickland, 1978). Researchers areparticularly interested in the relationship between locus of control and depres-
sion. The reasons for this connection tie back to the research on learned help-
lessness. It may be that externals often find themselves in situations similar to
that of learned helplessness participants who cannot control important out-
comes. Consider the findings of a study in which recently diagnosed cancer
Of the millions who try to lose weight each year, only a small number of people succeed
in taking it off and keeping it off. One variable that may affect a diet ’s success or failure
is the extent to which the dieter believes he or she is capable of losing the weight.Photo by Kathryn MacLeanLocus of Control 403