Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Personal control refers to the belief that individuals have the ability to influence and shape their own experiences and outcomes. It involves a sense of agency and autonomy in decision-making and actions.
This concept describes a state where an individual feels helpless and unable to change or improve their situation, often due to past experiences of repeated failure.