Ett eget val eller ett resultat av någonting annat ? - En kvalitativ studie om omständigheter kring ungdomars personliga målsättningar utifrån internt och externt kontroll-lokus

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study was to investigate how young people think about their chosen goals and the possibilities of reaching them, as well as whether they associate these goals and possibilities with internal and/or external circumstances. Six first- and third-year high school students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. They were asked prepared questions and, depending on their answers, spontaneous follow-up questions to explore their personal experiences with their goals. Their answers were analyzed using a symbolic interactionist lens, focusing on the relationship between the students and different objects in their lives. In addition, the theory about “internal and external locus of control” was used to analyze the respondents perceived amount of control over their lives and goals. An internal locus of control means that a person experiences a high amount of control over his actions, while an external locus of control means that a person believes that his results are influenced by external circumstances beyond his control, such as luck or the actions of other people. The analysis of the students' answers revealed that they chose their goals because of their interest in them and that they are motivated by a willingness to achieve them. This also entails a responsibility upon the students to overcome their shortcomings to achieve their goals. They also believe that external environments and events have influenced their progression towards their goals positively. However, some of the students also associated different external events with negative consequences which have impacted their goals differently. Some of the students' experiences also contain both aspects of locus of control, meaning that both external events and personal choices affected their choice of goals. This combination could be key to helping adolescents experiencing difficulties find personal goals and work to achieve them.