1.8: Locus of control

Question 1

Daniel and Matthew are in the same class at school, but have very different views on success.
Daniel is convinced that success is due to hard work and determination, whilst Matthew believes that luck and fate determine success.

The class is putting on a play and neither Daniel nor Matthew wants to participate.
Their friends are trying to persuade them to take part.

Using your knowledge of locus of control, identify which boy is most likely to resist the social influence of his friends.
Explain why (4 marks)

Answer 1

Daniel, because he has an internal locus of control.
Daniel will see himself as more of a leader than a follower, making him less likely to follow the majority and Daniel will not seek social approval as much as those who are externals

Question 2

Daniel and Matthew are in the same class at school, but have very different views on success.
Daniel is convinced that success is due to hard work and determination, whilst Matthew believes that luck and fate determine success.

The class is putting on a play and neither Daniel nor Matthew wants to participate.
Their friends are trying to persuade them to take part.

Another boy in the class, Tom, refuses to take part in the play.

Explain how Tom’s refusal to take part might affect Daniel’s and Matthew’s ability to resist social influence (2 marks)

Answer 2

They will be less likely to take part in the play, because Tom acts as social support

Question 3

Daniel and Matthew are in the same class at school, but have very different views on success.
Daniel is convinced that success is due to hard work and determination, whilst Matthew believes that luck and fate determine success.

The class is putting on a play and neither Daniel nor Matthew wants to participate.
Their friends are trying to persuade them to take part.

Another boy in the class, Tom, refuses to take part in the play.

Explain how Tom’s refusal to take part might affect Daniel’s and Matthew’s ability to resist social influence (2 marks).
They will be less likely to take part in the play, because Tom acts as social support.
What?

Answer 3

Tom may not affect Daniel due to Daniel’s internal locus of control, but Tom may affect Matthew, due to Matthew’s external locus of control