MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 8a Locus Of Control Agency

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This deck focuses on 8a Locus Of Control Agency, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

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Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is personal agency in psychology?

Answer: Capacity to intentionally influence one's thoughts, behavior, and environment. Core concept in social cognitive theory of self-determination.

Flashcard 2: What is an internal locus of control?

Answer: Belief that outcomes are primarily determined by ones own actions. Internals believe they control their destiny through choices.

Flashcard 3: What is an attribution in attribution theory?

Answer: An explanation a person assigns to the cause of a behavior or outcome. How people explain causes of events and behaviors.

Flashcard 4: Which concept best fits: "I can learn this skill if I practice," even after past failures?

Answer: High self-efficacy. Shows confidence in ability to perform despite past setbacks.

Flashcard 5: Which locus of control is most consistent with attributing outcomes to chance or fate?

Answer: External locus of control. External locus attributes outcomes to forces beyond personal control.

Flashcard 6: What is the definition of perceived behavioral control in the Theory of Planned Behavior?

Answer: Perceived ease or difficulty of performing a behavior. In Ajzen's model, this component influences intentions by reflecting anticipated obstacles and personal capabilities.

Flashcard 7: Which locus of control is more consistent with persistent effort after setbacks?

Answer: Internal locus of control. Individuals with this orientation view setbacks as surmountable through effort, fostering resilience and continued striving.

Flashcard 8: Which locus of control is most consistent with attributing outcomes to fate or luck?

Answer: External locus of control. This orientation perceives outcomes as determined by uncontrollable external forces, reducing personal accountability.

Flashcard 9: What is the key distinction between agency and learned helplessness?

Answer: Agency is perceived capacity to act; helplessness is perceived lack of control. While agency involves proactive self-influence, learned helplessness results from experiences eroding perceived controllability.

Flashcard 10: Which construct is being tested: confidence in ability to perform a specific task successfully?

Answer: Self-efficacy. Task-specific confidence is the hallmark of this construct.

Flashcard 11: Identify the concept: She is late because she is irresponsible, ignoring heavy traffic.

Answer: Fundamental attribution error. Blames personality while ignoring situational factors.

Flashcard 12: What is self-efficacy (Bandura)?

Answer: Belief in one's ability to perform behaviors needed to reach goals. Bandura's theory posits this as a key determinant of motivation, influencing how people think, behave, and feel about challenges.

Flashcard 13: What is the actor–observer bias?

Answer: Explaining own actions situationally but others' actions dispositionally. Different perspectives lead to different causal explanations.

Flashcard 14: In attribution theory, what is the internal–external dimension?

Answer: Whether a cause is due to the person (internal) or the situation (external). Distinguishes personal causes from situational causes.

Flashcard 15: What attribution pattern is most associated with learned helplessness in depression?

Answer: Internal, stable, global attributions for negative events. In Weiner's attribution theory, this pessimistic style for failures predicts vulnerability to depression and helplessness.

Flashcard 16: What is an internal locus of control?

Answer: Belief that outcomes mainly result from one's own actions and choices. Emphasizes personal responsibility and control over life events.

Flashcard 17: What is attribution theory (general definition)?

Answer: Framework for explaining behavior by assigning causes to events and actions. Helps understand how people make sense of behavior.

Flashcard 18: Which locus of control is most consistent with the statement: "The test was unfair, so I failed"?

Answer: External locus of control. Blames external factors rather than personal responsibility.

Flashcard 19: What is the locus of control implication of the just-world hypothesis?

Answer: Emphasizes personal responsibility, often downplaying situational forces. By assuming fairness, it promotes an internal locus view where individuals are seen as controlling their destinies through actions.

Flashcard 20: What is the just-world hypothesis?

Answer: Belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get. Lerner's theory suggests this belief maintains a sense of order and control in an unpredictable world.

Flashcard 21: What is agency in psychology?

Answer: Capacity to initiate actions and exert control over one's behavior and goals. Involves intentional action and self-determination.

Flashcard 22: Identify the construct: belief that outcomes are contingent on one's behavior (vs independent of it).

Answer: Locus of control. Describes belief about control over life outcomes.

Flashcard 23: Which concept is more specific to confidence in a particular task: locus of control or self-efficacy?

Answer: Self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is task-specific; locus of control is general.

Flashcard 24: What is self-efficacy in Bandura's theory?

Answer: Belief in one's ability to execute behaviors needed to achieve a goal. Key component of personal agency and motivation.

Flashcard 25: Identify the mismatch: "I control outcomes" (locus) versus "I can do the task" (which construct)?

Answer: Self-efficacy. Self-efficacy focuses on capability, not outcome control.

Flashcard 26: Which locus of control attributes outcomes to effort and personal decisions?

Answer: Internal locus of control. Internals link success/failure to personal actions.

Flashcard 27: Identify the construct: "I can execute the steps needed to quit smoking."

Answer: Self-efficacy. This statement reflects Bandura's concept of confidence in one's capability to perform actions required for a desired outcome.

Flashcard 28: What is self-efficacy (Bandura)?

Answer: Belief in one's ability to perform behaviors needed to achieve a goal. Task-specific confidence predicts persistence and success.

Flashcard 29: Identify the attribution: "I failed because I did not study enough." (locus and controllability)

Answer: Internal and controllable. Study effort is both personal and within one's control.

Flashcard 30: Which bias is shown: "I was late due to traffic, but she is late because she is careless"?

Answer: Actor–observer bias. Shows asymmetry in how we judge self versus others.

Flashcard 31: What is agency in psychology?

Answer: Capacity to act intentionally and influence ones life circumstances. Reflects one's power to make choices and create change.

Flashcard 32: Which locus of control is most associated with learned helplessness?

Answer: External locus of control. Feeling powerless leads to giving up trying.

Flashcard 33: In attribution theory, what is the locus dimension of causality?

Answer: Whether a cause is internal (dispositional) or external (situational). Distinguishes between personal and environmental causes.

Flashcard 34: Which concept is broader about what causes outcomes in general: locus of control or self-efficacy?

Answer: Locus of control. Locus of control is a general belief about causation.

Flashcard 35: Which statement best reflects high agency: "My choices matter," or "Nothing I do changes outcomes"?

Answer: "My choices matter.". Expresses belief in personal power to influence outcomes.

Flashcard 36: Identify the locus of control: "I did well because I studied effectively and managed my time."

Answer: Internal locus of control. Credits personal actions (studying, time management) for success.

Flashcard 37: Which concept best fits: I can influence my health by exercising regularly.

Answer: Agency. Shows belief in personal power to affect health.

Flashcard 38: What is learned helplessness?

Answer: Reduced motivation after repeated uncontrollable negative events. Results from experiencing uncontrollable aversive events.

Flashcard 39: Which locus of control is most consistent with the statement: "My effort determines my grades"?

Answer: Internal locus of control. Effort is a personal action under one's control.

Flashcard 40: In attribution theory, what does the stability dimension describe?

Answer: Whether a cause is stable over time or unstable and changeable. Affects expectations about future similar situations.

Flashcard 41: What is learned helplessness?

Answer: Passive behavior after repeated uncontrollable negative events. Results from experiencing uncontrollable aversive events.

Flashcard 42: Identify the locus of control: I failed because the test was unfair.

Answer: External locus of control. Blames test (external factor) rather than self.

Flashcard 43: Which locus of control is most consistent with high personal responsibility for outcomes?

Answer: Internal locus of control. Internal locus means believing you control your own outcomes.

Flashcard 44: Which locus of control attributes success to effort and strategy: internal or external?

Answer: Internal locus of control. Internal locus sees outcomes as results of personal actions.

Flashcard 45: Identify the locus of control: I got the job because I was lucky.

Answer: External locus of control. Attributes success to chance, not personal merit.

Flashcard 46: Which locus of control attributes outcomes to chance, fate, or powerful others?

Answer: External locus of control. Externals blame circumstances beyond their control.

Flashcard 47: Which locus of control is most associated with learned helplessness after uncontrollable stress?

Answer: External locus of control. Feeling no control over outcomes leads to helplessness.

Flashcard 48: Identify the locus of control: "I did well because I studied effectively."

Answer: Internal locus of control. Credits personal effort (studying) for the positive outcome.

Flashcard 49: Which concept best fits: No matter what I do, my effort does not change outcomes.

Answer: Learned helplessness. Classic sign of feeling no control over outcomes.

Flashcard 50: In attribution theory, what does the controllability dimension describe?

Answer: Whether a cause is under personal control versus uncontrollable. Influences emotional responses like guilt or anger.

Flashcard 51: What is the key difference between locus of control and self-esteem?

Answer: Locus: perceived control; self-esteem: overall self-worth evaluation. Control beliefs differ from global self-evaluation.

Flashcard 52: What is an external locus of control?

Answer: Belief that outcomes mainly result from luck, fate, or powerful others. Attributes outcomes to forces beyond personal control.

Flashcard 53: Which construct is most directly increased by mastery experiences (Bandura)?

Answer: Self-efficacy. Bandura identified direct successful experiences as the most powerful source for building this belief in personal competence.

Flashcard 54: Which locus of control is most associated with learned helplessness after failures?

Answer: External locus of control. Helplessness develops when outcomes seem beyond personal control.

Flashcard 55: Identify the attribution: "I failed because the room was too noisy." (locus and controllability)

Answer: External and typically uncontrollable. Environmental factors are outside personal control.

Flashcard 56: What is agency in psychology?

Answer: Capacity to act intentionally and influence one's life circumstances. Agency represents the human capability for intentional action and self-determination in shaping one's environment and future.

Flashcard 57: What is the difference between internal and external attributions?

Answer: Internal: traits/effort; external: situation/luck/others. Internal focuses on personal factors; external on environmental factors.

Flashcard 58: Identify the locus of control: I got the job because I prepared well.

Answer: Internal locus of control. Credits personal effort for positive outcome.

Flashcard 59: What is locus of control in personality and social psychology?

Answer: Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Distinguishes whether control lies within oneself or outside forces.

Flashcard 60: Which statement reflects higher agency: "I can change my plan" or "Nothing I do matters"?

Answer: "I can change my plan". Agency involves belief in ability to act and create change.

Flashcard 61: Identify the bias: "I aced it because I am smart; I failed because the test was unfair."

Answer: Self-serving bias. This example illustrates protecting self-image by internalizing success and externalizing failure attributions.

Flashcard 62: What is the fundamental attribution error?

Answer: Overattributing others' behavior to disposition over situation. This cognitive bias leads observers to underestimate situational influences on others' actions, emphasizing personality traits.

Flashcard 63: Identify the construct: "Whether I quit smoking depends mostly on my effort."

Answer: Internal locus of control. The emphasis on personal effort as the primary determinant of success aligns with Rotter's internal control orientation.

Flashcard 64: How does self-efficacy differ from locus of control?

Answer: Self-efficacy is ability belief; locus of control is outcome control belief. While self-efficacy focuses on confidence in executing specific tasks, locus of control concerns general expectations about outcome controllability.

Flashcard 65: Which concept best explains giving up after repeated failures perceived as uncontrollable?

Answer: Learned helplessness. Develops when efforts repeatedly fail to change outcomes.

Flashcard 66: Which locus of control is implied by the statement: "My grade depends on how I study"?

Answer: Internal locus of control. The statement reflects a belief that personal actions directly influence results, characteristic of internal control perceptions.

Flashcard 67: What is an external locus of control?

Answer: Belief that outcomes are primarily determined by outside forces (luck, fate). Externals see life events as beyond personal control.

Flashcard 68: Which locus of control is implied by the statement: "I failed because the test was unfair"?

Answer: External locus of control. Blaming failure on external factors like test fairness indicates a perception of outcomes controlled by outside forces.

Flashcard 69: What is the key difference between locus of control and self-efficacy?

Answer: Locus: cause of outcomes; efficacy: ability to perform a specific task. Locus is general control; efficacy is task-specific.

Flashcard 70: Which attribution is internal, stable, and global: "I failed because I am stupid"?

Answer: Internal, stable, global. Attributing failure to inherent stupidity implies a personal, enduring, and pervasive cause in attributional dimensions.

Flashcard 71: Which attribution is external, unstable, and specific: "I failed because the room was noisy"?

Answer: External, unstable, specific. Blaming noise attributes failure to an outside, temporary, and situation-specific factor in attribution theory.

Flashcard 72: What is personal agency?

Answer: Perceived capacity to initiate actions and influence one's life outcomes. Reflects belief in one's power to act and create change.

Flashcard 73: What is self-efficacy in Bandura's theory?

Answer: Belief in one's ability to perform behaviors needed to reach goals. Confidence in executing specific actions, not controlling outcomes.

Flashcard 74: Which attribution best reflects external locus of control for failure: effort, strategy, luck, or persistence?

Answer: Luck. Luck is an external, uncontrollable factor.

Flashcard 75: Which attribution best matches external locus of control for failure: low effort or unfair test?

Answer: Unfair test (external attribution). External attributions align with external locus of control.

Flashcard 76: Which bias is shown: taking credit for an A but blaming a bad grade on the instructor?

Answer: Self-serving bias. Classic pattern of internal/external attribution for success/failure.

Flashcard 77: Identify the concept: After uncontrollable shocks, an animal stops trying to escape.

Answer: Learned helplessness. Classic example of giving up when outcomes seem uncontrollable.

Flashcard 78: What is the self-serving bias in attribution?

Answer: Attributing successes internally and failures externally. This bias protects self-esteem by claiming credit for positives while deflecting blame for negatives to external causes.

Flashcard 79: Which locus of control attributes outcomes to chance or fate: internal or external?

Answer: External locus of control. External locus attributes events to uncontrollable forces.

Flashcard 80: Identify the locus of control: "I failed because the test was unfair and random."

Answer: External locus of control. Blames external factors (unfair test) rather than personal effort.

Flashcard 81: Which attribution best reflects internal locus of control for success: ability, luck, task difficulty, or chance?

Answer: Ability. Ability is an internal, stable personal characteristic.

Flashcard 82: What is learned helplessness (Seligman)?

Answer: Reduced action after repeated uncontrollable negative events. Seligman's model explains how exposure to uncontrollable events leads to passive behavior and motivational deficits.

Flashcard 83: What is self-efficacy (Bandura)?

Answer: Belief in ones ability to perform behaviors needed to reach a goal. Task-specific confidence, not general control beliefs.

Flashcard 84: Identify the bias: I aced the exam due to my ability; I failed the next due to bad luck.

Answer: Self-serving bias. Internal attribution for success, external for failure.

Flashcard 85: Which attribution best matches internal locus of control for failure: ability/effort or bad luck?

Answer: Ability or effort (internal attribution). Internal attributions align with internal locus of control.

Flashcard 86: Which pattern best describes learned helplessness after repeated failure?

Answer: Lower motivation and persistence due to perceived lack of control. This response pattern emerges from believing that efforts do not influence outcomes, reducing initiative in future situations.

Flashcard 87: What is locus of control in psychology?

Answer: Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Introduced by Rotter, this concept assesses if individuals perceive reinforcements as contingent on personal behavior or external factors.

Flashcard 88: Identify the locus of control: "I failed because the test was unfair and the teacher dislikes me."

Answer: External locus of control. Blames external factors (test, teacher) for failure.

Flashcard 89: Identify the locus of control: I failed because I did not study effectively.

Answer: Internal locus of control. Takes personal responsibility for the failure.