Description

The Sense of Control (SoC) Scale is a psychometric tool developed to assess an individual’s perception of the control they have over their life. The sense of control refers to the belief that one can influence situations and outcomes in life through their own actions.

Purpose

The purpose of the SoC is to measure the extent to which individuals feel they have control in various aspects of their lives. This measurement can help in understanding their psychological health, well-being, and ability to cope with challenges. The tool is useful for psychologists, researchers, and health professionals in developing interventions that enhance the sense of control and mental well-being.

Analysis

The SoC includes a series of statements that evaluate the sense of control in different situations. Participants are asked to respond using a Likert scale (e.g., from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
The analysis of results includes:
Score Calculation: Responses are summed to calculate total scores representing the sense of control.
Score Interpretation: Scores are compared with normative data to determine individuals’ levels of perceived control. Higher scores indicate a stronger sense of control.
Statistical Analysis: Further analysis can be conducted to explore relationships between the sense of control and other factors, such as mental health, self-esteem, resilience, and professional success.

Calibration

The calibration of the SoC is carried out through studies on large and diverse samples to establish normative data and ensure the reliability and validity of the tool. Scores are standardized to allow reliable comparison of results across different populations and subgroups.

References

Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1998). The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(3), 763–773.
Pearlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. (1978). The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19(1), 2–21.
Rodin, J. (1986). Aging and health: Effects of the sense of control. Science, 233(4770), 1271–1276.
Mirowsky, J., & Ross, C. E. (1991). Eliminating defense and agreement bias from measures of the sense of control: A 2 × 2 index. Social Psychology Quarterly, 54(2), 127–145.
Skinner, E. A. (1996). A guide to constructs of control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(3), 549–570.