Control (psychology)

One of the four main goals of psychology is to control behavior. The other three are to describe, explain, and predict behavior. Control, however, tends to generate the most interest. Indeed, some argue that the other three "goals" of psychology are actually steps in the process toward the ultimate goal of control. Experts in psychology try to help people learn to control themselves in some way so they can make meaningful, long-term changes in their behavior. The struggle to gain control over themselves, however, can cause some people to desire control over other people or situations. Indeed, the desire to control impacts many aspects of people's lives.

Background

A correlation exists between better psychological and physical health and a person's belief that they can control a situation. A person's belief that they can take action and meet challenges is termed self-efficacy. Because people strive for control in their lives, self-efficacy tends to lead to happiness and improved health. Although people recognize that a certain level of randomness is an inherent part of life that can strip them of control, their underlying desire for control does not change.

People's need for control can cause them to panic when events seem to be spinning out of control. Those who are unable to let go and recognize that they cannot control everything are susceptible to the belief that holding on tightly will provide them with the security they desperately crave. People who demand control and are inflexible when situations are beyond their control prevent themselves from fully enjoying and engaging in life.

Many people look up to and admire those who appear to have control. Those who appear to be in control, however, really have no more control than anyone else; instead, they demonstrate an ability to constantly adapt to the situation around them. Their willingness to be flexible serves as an acknowledgement that they have less control and enables them to better handle those situations over which they do have control. Research has shown that depressed people are less likely to believe that they have any control. While this view may be more accurate in reality, it tends to lead to feelings of pessimism, fear, and hopelessness.

Some people are not satisfied with controlling only themselves; they want to control others as a way of controlling their environment. Their desire to control others may stem from the fact that they cannot control themselves or from a sense of abandonment. These people do not respect boundaries and tend to micromanage situations. They may try to get an emotional reaction from those they want to control as a way to make themselves feel superior.

Overview

When people need too much control, they can become obsessive, always striving for perfection. When people feel no sense of control, they can become depressed or develop a pessimistic point of view. However, it is possible for people to develop the right amount of need and sense of control.

Everyone has a locus of control. The two types are internal and external. Individuals who have an internal locus of control feel a sense of responsibility and an ability to impact outcomes in their lives. Those with an external locus of control blame outside sources for circumstances. Research has found that a key contributor to happiness is a sense that people feel their lives are self-chosen and self-endorsed. Such individuals demonstrate an internal locus of control. They tend to be happier, less depressed, and less stressed. When problems arise, these individuals will wonder how they can prevent such situations in the future. They recognize that events do not always go as planned and that certain situations may even seem unfair; however, they do not let these factors stop them from learning for next time and moving forward. People with an external locus of control react differently to situations beyond their control. When problems arise, they often feel as though they are unable to handle them. They may think they have no responsibility to fix problems that were not their fault. They see themselves as victims in these situations.

Psychologist Julian Rotter developed the concept of locus of control and created a locus of control scale to measure this aspect of a person's personality. A person may range from very internal to very external. A study published in 2025 in Scientific Reports indicated that certain significant life events can shift locus of control toward a more external orientation, sometimes with lasting effects on well-being and coping. As children get older, their sense of control and competency tends to grow, which makes them move toward the internal end of the scale.

Psychologists have suggested several ways to help people build an internal locus of control. First, people can work on developing the proper attitude. People can achieve a better attitude through positive self-talk. They can remind themselves about their strengths and tell themselves that dealing with life's challenges can help them get stronger. Becoming emotionally aware and recognizing what they feel and why they feel it is also beneficial. Having this information can alert people to what they need to change in their lives. Another tip is to strive to develop a more optimistic view of life. In addition, people can determine how to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Being able to turn to others for support, such as family and friends, is also helpful. A sense of humor about life can be beneficial. The ability to step back and see humor in difficult situations helps people feel more resilient. Exercise can help, too, as it releases endorphins that impact mood in a positive way. Finally, people may be helped by recognizing that bumps in life are bound to occur or by engaging with their spiritual side. Even small enhancements in perceived control over daily stressors have been linked to a greater likelihood of resolving issues and improved resilience, effects that tend to grow with age.

Striving for and seeking control is natural. To find contentment, however, people need to remember that not everything is within their control and that they should work on those situations that are within their control.

Bibliography

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Cherry, Kendra. "Locus of Control and Your Life." Verywell Mind, 17 Mar. 2026, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-locus-of-control-2795434. Accessed 14 May 2026.

Cherry, Kendra. "The Major Goals of Psychology." Verywell Mind, 12 Feb. 2026, www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-four-major-goals-of-psychology-2795603. Accessed 14 May 2026.

Salmansohn, Karen. "The No. 1 Contributor to Happiness." Psychology Today, 30 June 2011, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bouncing-back/201106/the-no-1-contributor-happiness. Accessed 14 May 2026.

Sanger, Sandra. "Are You in Control? Time to Let Go." Gyro Coaching, 22 Oct. 2012, gyroconsulting.com/2012/10/22/are-you-in-control-time-to-let-go/. Accessed 14 May 2026.

Stillman, Steven, and Malathi Velamuri. “The Sensitivity of Locus of Control to Life Events and Implications for Its Moderating Influence on Wellbeing.” Scientific Reports, vol. 15, Aug. 2025, doi:10.1038/s41598-025-13930-3. Accessed 15 May 2026.

Witzel, Dakota D., et al. “Daily Association Between Perceived Control and Resolution of Daily Stressors Strengthens Across a Decade of Adulthood.” Communications Psychology, vol. 3, 2025, doi:10.1038/s44271-025-00313-7. Accessed 15 May 2026.