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RESEARCH PRODUCT

To Control or Not to Control

subject

description

To have control over an event means exercising authority and influence over it by directing and regulating it oneself. Obviously, events differ in their amenability to control. We cannot change the order of days in the week; our influence on our own health is greater but still limited. We may have almost total control over the amount of sugar and milk in our cup of coffee, but only if we prepare our breakfast ourselves. Regardless of the objective nature of the situation, however, people vary in their assessments of perceived control over particular events and their lives in general. Some feel they can do almost anything they set their minds to; others feel that events result mostly from the actions of others or good and bad luck.