37. Joe believes that his philosophy professor dislikes him because he frequently disagrees with her opinions. Further, Joe believes that no matter how hard he studies, he will never earn a grade of A on one of his philosophy examinations. Joe's beliefs illustrate
Answer: C
Joe's beliefs illustrate an external locus of control.
Joe's feelings reflect an external locus of control, as he attributes his academic challenges and perceived negative feedback from his professor to factors outside of his control. He believes that no amount of effort will lead to success, indicating a belief that external forces determine his outcomes.
A) self-serving bias
Self-serving bias refers to the tendency to attribute positive events to one's own actions while attributing negative events to external factors. Joe's belief that he cannot earn an A on his philosophy examinations does not fit this definition, as he is not attributing his failures to his own actions but rather to external circumstances.
B) an internal locus of control
An internal locus of control is characterized by the belief that one can influence their outcomes through their own efforts and decisions. Joe's perspective, which suggests he cannot succeed despite his efforts, indicates that he does not possess an internal locus of control.
C) an external locus of control
An external locus of control is evident in Joe's beliefs, as he feels that his academic success is largely determined by factors beyond his control, such as his professor's opinions and an inability to achieve high grades. This perspective prevents him from recognizing the impact of his own efforts on his academic performance.
D) the Barnum effect
The Barnum effect relates to the tendency of individuals to accept vague or general statements as personally meaningful. Joe's specific beliefs about his professor and his grades do not align with this effect, as they are not general or vague but rather specific feelings about his academic situation.
Conclusion
Joe's beliefs clearly demonstrate an external locus of control, as he attributes his academic struggles to external factors rather than his own abilities or efforts. All other options fail to capture the essence of his perspective, which emphasizes the belief that he cannot change his circumstances despite his efforts. Thus, option C is the most accurate choice in this context.