Locus of Control and Agency (8A) Practice Test

A study examining internal locus of control and stress in 210 college students found that students who endorsed more internal control beliefs were not necessarily exposed to fewer stressors, but they reported more use of problem-solving steps and less avoidance. The researchers interpret this as a difference in perceived agency. Which outcome is most consistent with an external locus of control given these findings?

In an educational setting, a student receives a high score on a lab report. When asked why, the student says, “I met with the TA, revised twice, and followed the rubric carefully.” Another student with a similar score says, “I just got lucky; the grader must have been in a good mood.” The instructor is interested in how these explanations shape future effort. Which statement best reflects the influence of an internal locus of control on behavior here?