Final answer:
Sam likely has an external locus of control because he believes that he cannot influence his chances of being promoted, indicating that he sees the outcomes in his work environment as outside of his control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sam most likely has an external locus of control because he perceives that promotions at work are random and not influenced by his efforts. This aligns with the principles of expectancy theory, which suggests that our behavior is partly driven by our expectations of outcomes and the belief that we have an influence over those outcomes. In contrast, an internal locus of control refers to the belief that our personal actions directly affect outcomes.
If Sam believed his performance and efforts were instrumental in getting promoted, he would be demonstrating an internal locus of control. Sam's belief aligns with an external locus of control, as he views promotions as out of his control and determined by luck or other external factors rather than his own actions.