Not sure where to start?
Try the Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) to clarify what to focus on, or start with Relaxation Therapy for guided meditation.
The Science Behind Internal Locus Of Control
Developing a stronger sense of internal control can shift how you respond to challenges, make decisions, and pursue personal growth. But what exactly is it—and how do you build it?
What Is Internal Locus Of Control?
Internal locus of control is the belief that your choices and actions can influence what happens in your life. When you have it, you tend to see yourself as capable, resourceful, and responsible for creating change. You’re more likely to take initiative—and less likely to give up in the face of setbacks.
In contrast, people with an external locus of control often feel at the mercy of outside forces like luck, fate, or other people’s decisions.
The Psychology Behind It
The concept of internal control was first introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954 through his research on Attribution Theory, which examined how people explain the causes of events in their lives. Rotter later developed this work into Social Learning Theory (SLT)—a framework showing how behavior is shaped through learning, expectations, and experience.
In SLT, internal control is closely tied to four psychological constructs defined by Rotter:
- Behavior Potential (BP): Your range of possible actions in a given situation
- Expectancy (E): How likely you believe those actions will lead to a desired outcome
- Reinforcement Value (RV): How important or rewarding that outcome is to you
- Psychological Situation (PS): How you interpret and define the situation you’re in
When you understand what matters most and believe your actions can shape the outcome, your options expand—strengthening your internal locus of control and supporting more adaptive behavior.
How The Mulry Method Builds It
Internal control isn’t fixed. It can be learned—and strengthened—through repeated action and reflection. That’s exactly what the Mulry Method is designed to do.
Tools That Support Internal Control
You can build internal control by working with practical tools that help you reflect, regulate, and respond with intention.
The Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI)
Clarifies what matters most to you right now—so you can take meaningful, focused action.
Relaxation Therapy
Calms your nervous system, reduces mental clutter, and makes it easier to observe yourself and respond wisely.
In The Zone Skills Training
A complete self-learning program that helps you shift from reactivity to intentional action. These short lessons build presence, mind-body awareness, and the ability to take focused action—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The 5-Step Method
A structured, step-by-step approach for developing internal control through clarity, calm, goal-setting, focused action, and measurable progress.
What The Research Shows
People with a stronger internal locus of control tend to:
- Recover more quickly from setbacks
- Take more responsibility for their lives
- Experience less anxiety and depression
- Perform better in academic and work settings
- Maintain healthier habits and relationships
It’s not about blaming yourself. It’s about believing in your ability to make choices—even when life is hard.
A Matter Of Direction
Internal control isn’t about forcing outcomes. It’s about recognizing where your choices matter—and learning how to act on them.
It starts with awareness: noticing how you respond to stress, what patterns you repeat, and where you give your power away. From there, it’s a matter of direction. What do you care about? What are you willing to act on?
The more you align your actions with what matters, the stronger your sense of control becomes. That’s how internal control grows—not all at once, but over time, with each intentional choice.