Psychotherapy and the locus of control
1Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center, Department of Medical Psychology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon.
Journal of Religion and Health
|December 6, 2013
Summary
Therapeutic expectations must integrate both external forces and personal autonomy. Understanding locus of control is crucial for effective patient-therapist interactions and orderly therapeutic progress.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Therapeutic Alliance
Background:
- Locus of control theories often emphasize external forces influencing individual experiences.
- Anthropological perspectives frequently support an external locus of control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the role of locus of control in therapeutic expectations.
- To determine the adequacy of solely external or internal locus of control in therapy.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of therapeutic interactions.
- Review of anthropological theories on control.
Main Results:
- Neither extreme external locus of control nor extreme internal locus of control (freedom/autonomy) is sufficient for therapy.
- Both perspectives contain elements essential for therapeutic success.
Conclusions:
- Effective therapeutic expectations require integrating beliefs about external influences and personal agency.
- A balanced approach to locus of control enhances the therapeutic enterprise.
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