Happiness lies in our own hands, in the way our perception of control impacts our lives
Tim Klein
2026-03-19
5 min. read
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Talents, hard work, and faith in our abilities? What influences success in our lives? Some people go through life like a tornado and reap great benefits, while others stagnate, repeating „I just have bad luck“. All this depends on the individual's sense of control. Is it a matter of happiness or favorable circumstances? Find out what personal sense of control is and how it impacts our actions and handling of various aspects of our lives.
What constitutes the subjective belief in one’s capacity to influence reality?
The notion of a *sense of control* emerged during the 1960s within the framework of social learning theory, pioneered by the American psychologist Julian Rotter. At the core of his research was the examination of how individuals acquire and internalize diverse behavioral patterns through repeated social interactions. A simplified interpretation of his theoretical premises posits that people either adopt or reinforce specific behaviors when they observe that these actions yield their desired outcomes. Conversely, they learn to avoid behaviors that produce adverse consequences. A pivotal component of this framework is the human capacity to formulate expectations regarding the outcomes of one’s actions—such as the belief that dedicated language study will result in a high examination score. These anticipations are grounded in prior, positively reinforced experiences, thereby strengthening confidence in the efficacy of similar future actions. The subjective assessment of success probability in response to a given behavior thus constitutes the essence of one’s perceived control over a situation.
The genesis and determining factors of locus of control: from dependency to autonomous agency in human development
What accounts for the propensity of certain individuals to assume full responsibility for their life outcomes, whereas others consistently attribute failures to external forces—whether fate, bad luck, or other people? As is frequently observed in psychological research, the origins of this divergence trace back to early childhood. The construct of locus of control evolves progressively from the earliest years, with its final configuration shaped by a multifaceted interplay of determinants—among which parental rearing practices and the gradual cultivation of independent functioning skills play pivotal roles. The influence of these factors shifts dynamically across developmental stages, rendering this process remarkably intricate and multidimensional.
