Final answer:
People with an external locus of control attribute outcomes to external factors and may not recognize their own role in shaping events. Philosophers and psychologists alike explore the implications of this belief in personal responsibility, free will, and social behavior. Such beliefs influence individual actions and social dynamics like social movements and bystander behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
People who believed that outside forces are responsible for what happens to them and around them, and do not think that their own actions make much of a difference are often said to have an external locus of control. This psychological concept suggests that individuals attribute their successes and failures to external factors such as luck, fate, or the actions of others, rather than to their own efforts or decisions. People with an external locus of control may overlook how their own habits and expectations contribute to their circumstances and are less likely to accept personal responsibility for the outcomes they experience. Another view related to this belief is the idea of bad faith, as described by philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. He argued that individuals who deny their own freedom and responsibility for their actions are living in bad faith. Furthermore, the belief in free will asserts that individuals have the power to make choices that significantly impact their lives and the world around them. Social movements and political theories also engage with these concepts, with some schools of thought attributing societal outcomes to governmental structures, while others emphasize the power of individual agency and social action. Meanwhile, social psychologists study concepts like the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility, which explore how the presence of others can affect an individual's willingness to take action in emergencies or social situations. These phenomena demonstrate the complex relationship between individual perception of control, responsibility, and external factors.