Ace the AP Psychology Test 2025 – Unlock Your Mind’s Potential!

Personal control refers to an individual's perception of their ability to influence or manage their own environment and experiences. This concept encompasses the belief that one can affect outcomes through their actions, decisions, and behaviors. When someone has a strong sense of personal control, they feel empowered to navigate life’s challenges and assert their influence on various situations.

This sense of control contributes to psychological well-being, promoting resilience and a proactive attitude towards obstacles. It contrasts with feeling controlled by external forces or the environment, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and decreased motivation.

The other options represent different ideas: attempting to control others reflects a power dynamic that relates to social interactions but does not pertain to personal control over one’s own circumstances. Feeling controlled by the environment emphasizes a lack of agency. Lastly, lack of influence on societal norms speaks to the broader context of societal power structures rather than individual perception of control over personal life. Thus, the understanding of personal control is best captured by the sense of managing and influencing one’s immediate environment.