Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

AP Psychology· difficulty 3/5

A researcher administers a Big Five inventory to 500 employees. Marcus scores high on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, low on Neuroticism, and average on Openness and Extraversion. The researcher also measures self-efficacy and locus of control, finding Marcus has high self-efficacy and a strong internal locus of control.

Marcus's high internal locus of control means he most likely believes:

  • A

    Outcomes are mostly due to luck or powerful others

  • B

    Outcomes in his life are largely determined by his own actions

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  • C

    Personality traits are genetically fixed

  • D

    He cannot succeed at challenging tasks

Explanation

Rotter's internal locus of control reflects the belief that one's own behavior controls outcomes. External locus attributes outcomes to luck, fate, or powerful others. Self-efficacy is task-specific belief in capability, distinct but related.

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