Final answer:
Someone with an external locus of control believes that outcomes are determined by external factors such as fate or other people's actions, rather than their own efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Someone with an external locus of control believes that events turn out as they do based on factors outside their personal control, such as luck, fate, or the actions of others. This belief is characterized by the understanding that their lives are not determined by their own actions but by external circumstances. In contrast, those with an internal locus of control believe that they are the primary agents of change in their lives and that their personal decisions and efforts largely impact their outcomes.
For instance, if a student with an external locus of control received a poor grade on a test, they might attribute this to the test being unfairly difficult or the teacher being biased, as opposed to their own lack of preparation. This external attribution may lead them to believe that there's no point in trying to improve or study harder, since in their view, outcomes are not tied to their personal efforts.