From Fear to Flow

11

Locus of control

Introduction

Unexpected and distressing events are unfortunate but inevitable in life. The way we react to them not only mirrors their content but also reveals our character and the circumstances of our lives in the moment they occur. You see, sometimes it is not as much an objective threat and complexity in a given situation that triggers a reaction, rather it is the person’s perception of it. The more unclear objective conditions are, the more people’s own interpretation guides their reactions (Lazarus, 1966). Overall it seems that the response to threat depends on three essential factors: the hazard itself, beliefs in overall possibilities to influence and avoid the menace and beliefs in personal capacity to respond effectively ...