LOCUS OF CONTROL ORIENTATION AND LEVEL - Drake University

CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Purpose of this study was to determine if health locus of control
(HLC) accounted for differences of perceived pain relief. To suppo~ the
rationale for this study, literature was reviewed in the areas of the evolution of
locus of control (LOCI theory, pain theory, epidural analgesia and LOC as it
relates to pain. The literature review concludes with a summary.
The Evolution of ~ G Uof S Control Theory
Control and its effect on resultant outcomes has long been a topic of
interest to psychologists (Mineka & Henderson, 1985). Theories have evolved
to make predictions abut these relationships. These theories can be divided into
predictions related to exposure to uncontrollable events and predictions related
to controllable events. "Learned help1essness"is a theory that describes and
predicts the human response to exposure to uncontrollable events (Overmier &
Seligman, 1967). This theory proposes that after exposure to a surprise event
or an event that could not be modified by the participants' response, the person
responds to future events wlth "a response-initiation deficit" due to the belief the
response will have no effect (Mineka & Henderson). The theory that has
explained a . opposing prediction is know as "mastery effects. " This theory
hypothesizes that a response to a controllable event can be greatly enhanced by
prior contingent stimulation (Mineka & Henderson). Research in these areas has
further revealed that even if control over the event was simply a perception, the
result was a decrease in the stress evoked by the event Wineka & Henderson).
Much of the resmch in thrs area has investigated methods that health care