Locus of Control: Herbert M. Lefcourt’s Pioneering Work in Psychology

Herbert M. Lefcourt’s work on the locus of control fundamentally changed how we understand human behavior and motivation.

The concept is simple: it’s about how people view control over their lives. Are they in control or driven by forces they can’t control?

Lefcourt distinguished between two types of people. Those with an internal locus of control believe they can influence outcomes. They act, problem-solve, and adapt. Those with an external locus of control think life happens to them. They react.

The difference is enormous.

Internals? They engage in deeper thought and are proactive in nature. They handle stress better. They see challenges as problems to solve, not as fate.

Externals? They tend to let things slide, chalking it up to luck or external circumstances.

Lefcourt’s legacy is not just in defining this construct. He created tools to measure it. And his work has shaped fields as diverse as clinical psychology, education, and even corporate management.

Here’s the takeaway: How you view control over your life will shape everything—from your stress response to your success at work.

People either pull the strings or they’re puppets of the system. Locus of control is what decides it.