Cultural basis of primary and secondary control

Abstract

Having a subjective sense of control is of great importance to our psychological<br />weir-being (Rodin, 1986). Hence, we generalIy try to obtain control in different life domains and in a variety of ways that are compatible with our livestyles, cultural traditions, and value orientations. One way of achieving control is by shaping the environment in order to fit the self's need (primary control)and another is by accommodating to existing realities (secondary control) (Rothbaum, Weiez and Snyder, 1982). In primary control, control is pursued by attempting to change or influence existing realities so as to bring them into tine with our wishes. In secondary control, attempt to gain control is made by accommodating to e'xisting realities, leaving them unchanged but exerting control over their psychological impact.