Final answer:
Gaining control over one's environment boosts perceived control, which has positive implications for mental and physical health, coping with stress, and resilience.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an individual gains control over his/her environment, a range of positive psychological and health outcomes often follows. This concept of perceived control is crucial and linked to how we handle stress, our overall wellbeing, and our resilience in the face of challenges.
Studies by Everly & Lating (2002) and Bandura (1997) suggest that having control can mitigate the intensity of stress experienced by an individual.
For example, higher levels of perceived control have been associated with both better mental and physical health, resulting in lower emotional and physical reactivity to interpersonal stressors.
Additionally, the notion of learned helplessness, demonstrated in experiments by psychologist Martin Seligman, showed profound psychological consequences when control is lacking.
Furthermore, perceived control is thought to mediate the relationship between social class and health outcomes, with more affluent individuals generally believing more strongly in their ability to manage life's stressors, contributing to better health.
Flow states, as described by psychologists, are also tied to the sense of control and proficiency in tasks, providing a heightened sense of personal agency and pleasure.
Similarly, Julian Rotter's concept of locus of control proposes that individuals with an internal locus of control believe they can influence their own outcomes through their actions, which has been linked to better academic performance and career achievement.