Final answer:
Internality, in terms of Learned Helplessness, is the belief that one's actions can directly influence outcomes. It contrasts with an external locus of control, where individuals feel that outcomes are determined by external factors. A strong sense of internality can lead to resilience and proactive behavior to improve one's situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of Learned Helplessness, internality refers to the belief that one's own actions can directly influence outcomes. This concept is part of a triad of attributions that individuals make to understand their experiences, particularly negative ones. Learned helplessness arises when individuals attribute negative events to internal (personal), stable (unchanging), and global (ubiquitous) causes. This leads to a belief that future outcomes cannot be influenced by their actions, which can contribute to feelings of helplessness and depression. For example, if a student fails an exam and attributes this to an unchangeable lack of intelligence (an internal, stable, and global attribution), they may feel helpless and deterred from trying to improve in the future. Internality, in contrast, would lead to the belief that by studying harder or seeking help, they could change their scores on future exams.
Alternatively, an external locus of control, which is the opposite of internality, describes the belief that outcomes are controlled by outside forces, such as luck or the actions of others. Individuals with a high degree of internality are more likely to take action to change their circumstances, showing resilience in the face of challenges.