Concepts (Self-control)
Locus
Children who are raised primarily through external rewards and punishments will avoid misbehavior out of a fear of being caught and punished. They will try to act consistently with what they have associated with rewards. These children behave if the parent is nearby, ever watchful of how the parent will react to what they do. When the parent is absent, however, these children may misbehave. In the absence of supervision, these children are unable to control their impulses. The rules belong to authority figures, not to themselves. They are not acquiring an internal compass that guides them.

JOURNAL 6: Locus of control
In terms of locus of control, how did your parents raise you? Did they focus primarily on rewards and punishments or did they encourage you to learn standards that you would use to guide your own behavior? How about your own children?
How would you characterize your child rearing along a dimension of control from totally external and reward/punishment oriented to totally internal using reasoning, articulating limits, and engaging children in a reflection about their behavior? Do not worry if you are unsure of your response. The difference between these two forms of control will become clearer as the course progresses. Summarize your thoughts about the importance of rewards and punishments in your journal and what might happen if you rely on them too much.
Complete Worksheet #1 “Who’s in control” in your Responsive Discipline Journal.

Next: Authority