Final answer:
A teenage boy who believes that his hard work and positive attitude will lead to a good job, despite growing up in a low-income community, exemplifies an internal locus of control, demonstrating his belief in personal agency over his life outcomes. The correct answer is option: a. an internal locus of control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The teenage boy’s perspective reflects an internal locus of control. This concept, introduced by Julian Rotter, pertains to an individual's belief that their personal efforts directly influence their life outcomes. In contrast to an external locus of control, where individuals believe that external forces like luck or other people control their lives, those with an internal locus of control like the teenage boy in the question believe that hard work and a positive attitude will lead to success despite external circumstances, such as growing up in a low-income community.
Research suggests that those with an internal locus of control tend to perform better academically and professionally. They also show resilience, as they view challenges as opportunities to be mastered rather than as obstacles. This aligns with the Thomas theorem, where individuals’ subjective perception of reality has real consequences on their behavior, reinforcing that the boy’s belief in his ability to succeed can meaningfully impact his future.
The boy’s belief that his hard work and positive attitude will ensure success is the antithesis of self-regulation issues often observed in people with a tendency towards depression, as explained by the reformulated version of Seligman's study on attribution habits.