When thing does not go in their way, who will be more upset?
Great question. Isn’t it?
The answer depends on why the outcome didn’t meet their expectations and how each person interprets that gap.
💥 When Things Go Wrong…
🔹 Internal Locus of Control
People with an internal locus of control are more likely to feel personally responsible for the outcome. So if things don’t go their way, they might feel:
- Frustrated with themselves
- Motivated to improve or fix the situation
- Upset—but channel that emotion into action
They’re more likely to ask:
“What did I do wrong? What can I do better next time?”
So yes, they can feel upset but it’s often a productive kind of discomfort.
🔹 External Locus of Control
People with an external locus of control tend to believe outcomes are shaped by outside forces. If things go wrong, they might feel:
- Disappointed or helpless
- Less emotionally invested, since they didn’t expect control
- Upset, but more passive or resigned
They’re more likely to say:
“It wasn’t in my hands anyway. There’s nothing I could’ve done.”
So while they may feel less personally upset, they might also feel stuck or unmotivated to try again.
🧠 In Summary
- Internal locus folks may feel more upset initially because they take ownership, but they’re also more likely to grow from it.
- External locus folks may feel less upset in the moment but risk disengaging or giving up.