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Entitlements and Our Sense of Control (Anxiety)

As our personality develops we develop a sense of wherein lies the control in our lives. Some persons develop the sense they are in control of the decisions they make and of the rules by which they live their lives. They view themselves as powerful persons in terms of themselves. This power is not power and control of others, but is power and control of themselves, the decisions they make, and the rules by which they choose to live. In psychological terminology this is referred to as having an Internal Locus of Control. This person feels he is able to exert some control in his life and feels he has at least as much control over his life as others. He believes that he is free to go where ever he chooses during his spare time; that he is given enough liberty to do what he wants; that he is not "bossed" too much by others; that he does not frequently have to stand up for his freedom or for his other rights; that he is allowed to say what he believes about things; he may decide which social events he will attend; that he is not punished for a lot of little things; and, that people do not try to rule him.

Others develop the belief that power and control in their lives are outside of themselves. They believe other powers and persons control the decisions they make and determine the rules by which they live their lives. This personality quality is called an External Locus of Control. The person with an external locus of control has a sense of being a passive recipient of what others choose for him. He feels more vulnerable and more powerless than others. He feels he does not have a reasonable share in the determination of his conduct and in setting the general polices that govern his life. The person with this type of personality quality is quite different than the person with an internal locus of control. For example, the person with an external locus of control believes he is not free to go where ever he chooses during his spare time; he does not feel as if he has the liberty to do what he wants; he is "bossed" too much by others; there are social events he must attend; he frequently has to stand up for his rights; he is not allowed to say what he believes about things; he is liable to be punished for a lot of little things; and, people try to rule him.

There are subtle differences as well as very obvious differences. A doubter might say, "Well, if I held a gun to the first person's head, and said, 'Your wallet or your life' he certainly is not in control at that point in his life." But as a psychologist I would disagree. The person with an internal locus of control still feels he is in control of his life. He has a choice and chooses to offer up his wallet. This is one of the subtle differences. He makes a choice while the person with an external locus of control believes he has no choice to make. All choice has been taken out of his hands. He believes he must offer up his wallet.

Interestingly, the person with an external locus of control overuses the words:

• I must,
• I gotta,
• I have to,
• I should,
• I need to, and
• I ought to.

While the person with an internal locus of control most likely uses the words:

• I am,
• I will,
• I choose, and
• I want.

This may sound superficial but there is a pretty deep message communicated to the self when these words are chosen. If you were to ask a person with an external locus of control to meet after work for coffee, he is apt to respond:

• "I can't today, I must get home early." or
• "Maybe tomorrow, today I gotta work late." or
• "Today I have to pick up my children." or
• "I should run an errand this afternoon, perhaps tomorrow." or
• "I need to ....." or
• "I ought to......"

While the person with an internal locus of control is more apt to respond,

• "Not today, I am going home early". Or
• "Perhaps tomorrow; today, I will work late at the office." or
• "Not today, I want to meet my wife after work."

What is different in the above examples? Notice that in the responses of the person with an external locus of control he does not enter into the decision. Outside forces make the determination (should, oughta, gotta, have to, must, need to). While the person with an internal locus of control is central to each of the responses (I will, I choose, I want, I am). These are powerful unconscious messages to both types of personalities. This example highlights the essence between these two personalities. The person with an internal locus of control communicates strength, control. The other person gives up control and strength to the environment.

The person with an external locus of control is highly likely to develop anxiety. If the control in his life is outside himself, he is unable to comfortably predict what is going to happen. And if he can not predict what is going to happen, he becomes a passive recipient of whatever the environment has to offer. As you may expect, such a powerless person spends much of his time conjuring up all kinds of unpleasant, threatening eventualities which may occur in his life.

Now let us look at the difference between fear and anxiety. When we are threatened (a man with a gun is threatening to kill us) the physical and emotional reactions we have are called fear. When we think we are being threatened (a man with a gun may be out there planning to kill us) the physical and emotional reactions we have are called anxiety. Fear occurs when there is an objective threat. While anxiety occurs when we think there is a threat. The first threat is in the environment while the second threat is in our mind.

When a person puts in an honest day's work and is given an honest day's pay, he is contented and has a sense of control over his environment. His internal sense of control will be reinforced. He has engaged in a fair exchange. However, if he is paid and does not do work, he has no opportunity to develop a sense of being in control. He will be a passive recipient of what the environment has to offer. If the environment has the power to give, it also has the power to take away. So the threat resides in his mind that he may lose what the environment is giving him. This is the kind of thinking which leads to anxiety among persons with an external locus of control.

We now live in a society in which entitlements (gifts from the government) are a way of life and have been a way of life in many lives for three or four generations. The levels of anxiety are much higher in persons receiving entitlements than those who are gainfully employed. And self-medicating approaches to deal with anxiety (alcoholism, substance abuse, and aggression ) are much higher in these groups as well. In an entitlement program the only winner is the person(s) granting the entitlements. Those granting entitlements have a sense of control and self satisfaction. Those receiving the entitlements tend to be more depressed and anxiety ridden. And a propensity to these psychological states is passed down to the next generation as it has for the past several generations.

The solution? Begin giving a basis for compensations. Phase out entitlements and phase in opportunities to work and to contribute to the betterment of the community. Give those who qualify for entitlements an opportunity to rise above the passive role our local, state, and Federal governments have forced upon them. We are a strong supporter of vocational rehabilitation and we are particularly opposed to social rehabilitation. Vocational rehabilitation programs work with the physically and mentally handicapped to make them a part of the workforce. In Vocational Rehabilitation there is the specific goal that all who receive services are being prepared to work and will enter the ranks of the employed or free someone in the family to work. There is a definite rationale for the provision of services. In these programs, unlike entitlement programs, the clients maintain their dignity as they work toward independence.