Locus of Control

    Understanding locus of control is exceptionally important for a future occupational therapy practitioner for many reasons. First, OT practitioners almost always work in a "team" setting. Occupational therapists often collaborate with physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses, case managers, and more. In a team setting, locus of control plays a big impact on how efficiently the team can run. For example, if one therapist primarily has an internal locus of control, he or she will be extremely hard-working and stress himself out. If one therapist solely has an external locus of control, he or she probably will not be as motivated to work hard and may blame problems on others instead of himself. Therefore, both extremes could cause a strain on the overall health of the team. It may be harder for two therapists to work well together if their locus of control is completely opposite. Understanding the two locus of controls is not only important for team cooperation, but it is also important for the occupational therapist to understand about himself individually. One may not even realize the pattern that he or she falls into when it comes to control. When one begins to learn about the two locuses, his or her eyes may be opened and self-examination comes into play. An occupational therapist needs to understand that a healthy balance of the two locuses will allow him to be a better practitioner. This is because the therapist will be able to react to a challenge in a far better way when he can step back and consider all of the elements of what has happened. 

    It is easy to believe that occupational therapists face trying to implement more of an internal locus of control on many of their clients. This is because many clients that occupational therapists see have had something happen to them beyond their control that has made them qualify for services. When some kind of injury or illness happens to a person, it is common for him or her to develop an attitude of, "Why me?" which closely resembles an external locus of control. Many of these clients are less motivated to participate in therapy, because they do not have the motivation that an internal locus of control would give them. Occupational therapists can implement more of an internal locus of control into these clients by encouraging them, and telling them that they can do whatever they put their mind to. Occupational therapists can explain, "You only get out what you put in." This comes right back to the fact that the occupational therapist must first understand the two locuses of control in order for him or her to then help a client change his or her thought process.