In psychology, the concept of locus of control refers to an individual's belief about the degree to which they can control the events that affect their life. There are two types of locus of control: internal locus of control and external locus of control.
An internal locus of control is the belief that one's own actions and decisions determine the outcomes they experience in life. Individuals with an internal locus of control tend to take personal responsibility for their successes and failures, and they believe that they have the ability to influence events and make things happen.
On the other hand, an external locus of control is the belief that events in life are largely determined by external factors, such as luck, chance, or the actions of other people. Individuals with an external locus of control tend to attribute their successes and failures to outside factors, and they may feel powerless to change their circumstances.
Research suggests that individuals with an external locus of control may be more at risk for developing learned helplessness, which is a state of apathy or resignation that occurs when individuals believe that their actions cannot change the outcome of a situation. Because individuals with an external locus of control may feel that their outcomes are determined by external factors outside of their control, they may be more likely to give up in the face of adversity and experience feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. In contrast, individuals with an internal locus of control may be more likely to persist in the face of adversity, because they believe that their actions can influence the outcome.