Which statement reflects an internal locus of control?

• A. I did a good job because I worked so hard.
• B. I did a good job because I got lucky.
• C. The test was easy and I did well.
• D. The teacher gave me a high grade.

Answer: (A)

Internal locus of control means you believe your own effort and actions determine what happens. The statement “I did a good job because I worked so hard” shows that you credited the outcome to your own effort, which is exactly an internal locus. The other statements tie success to things outside your control—luck, the test being easy, or the teacher’s grading—reflecting an external locus. Understanding this helps explain why people with an internal locus tend to take more initiative and persist, since they see their actions as shaping results.