Locus of control is a term proposed by Julian Rotter, referring to how people perceive the causes of events in their life. People are placed on a unidimensional continuum between external and internal, and placement on the scale is determined by a questionnaire, of which there are many variants. An external locus (or place) of control indicates a belief that external circumstances guide behaviour, while an internal locus of control places more responsibility on the individual and his or her decisions and efforts.