Locus of Control

Locus of Control theory looks at individuals' beliefs about control over life events and their impacts on behaviour.

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Locus of Control - Tilted Scale Visualization
Internal
External

What is:

Locus of Control

In simple words, imagine:

Believing you did well on a test because you studied hard (internal control).

Locus of Control explains how much control people feel they have over events in their lives There are two types:

  • Internal locus:  Belief that you control your own fate
  • External locus:  Belief that outside forces control your fate

People with an internal locus are more likely to adopt new technologies because they believe they can influence outcomes. This concept helps companies understand user behaviour.

Explain it to Grandma:

Think of it like tending to your own garden. You believe that if you water your plants and care for them, they’ll grow strong. This theory is about believing you have control over your life, just like you control what happens in your garden. When you take responsibility, you’re more likely to see the fruits of your labor bloom.

Business Cases:

Mayo Clinic
Fitbit
Mint
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Mayo Clinic
Patient Self-Management Programme
Healthcare

Mayo Clinic integrated the concept of Locus of Control into its patient self-management programme. Patients were encouraged to take control of their health by making informed decisions and managing their conditions proactively.

Result
Successful
The programme improved patient outcomes by fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility.
Fitbit
Fitbit App
Fitness Apps

Fitbit applied the Locus of Control theory by designing its app to encourage users to take control of their fitness goals. The app provides personalised insights and progress tracking, empowering users to make healthier choices.

Result
Successful
Fitbit's approach has been effective in motivating users to achieve their fitness goals.
Mint
Mint Personal Finance App
Personal Finance Management

Mint used the Locus of Control theory to develop a personal finance app that empowers users to manage their finances. The app offers tools for budgeting, tracking expenses, and setting financial goals.

Result
Successful
Mint has helped millions of users gain better control over their finances, leading to widespread adoption.

Academic Research:

Locus of Control

Authors:

Julian B. Rotter

Year Researched

1966

Summary:

The Locus of Control theory examined how individuals perceive the control they have over the events in their lives. People with an internal locus of control believe that their own actions determine outcomes, while those with an external locus of control think that external forces, such as luck or fate, are responsible. For example, someone with an internal locus might attribute their success on a test to their hard work, while someone with an external locus might attribute it to luck.

Some links

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S019188691530071X
  • https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JOEPP-11-2021-0114/full/html
  • https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/63/3/416/6639428
  • https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITSE-10-2021-0191/full/html
  • https://academic.oup.com/jae/article/26/suppl_1/i36/3920769