The Psychology of Control

by Ellen J. Langer, Robert P. Abelson

Langer uses her orginal field research to show the impact of a person′s sense of control on their mental and physical well being. The book begins by dealing with general issues, refining our concept of what a sense of control is, showing how it differs from power, choice, or ability to predict events. Chapters in the second section show how people lose and regain control in everyday asking a favour, taking precautions against burglary. The third section shows the effects that loss of control have on the elderly, and the benefits and adverse effects of treatments that increased their sense of control. ′This material can be strongly recommended to those who are involved in the management of the chronic sick, the elderly

Genres: Psychology

310 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1983

About the author

Ellen Langer, Yale PhD, Harvard Professor of Psychology, artist. Among other honors, she is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and three Distinguished Scientist Awards, the World Congress Award, the NYU Alumni Achievement Award, and the Staats award for Unifying Psychology, and has authored eleven books and over 200 research articles on the illusion of control, perceived control, successful aging, decision-making, to name a few of the topics. Each of these is examined through the lens of her theory of mindfulness. Her research has demonstrated that by actively noticing new things—the essence of mindfulness—health, well being, and competence follow. Her best selling books include Mindfulness; The Power of Mindful Learning; On Becoming an Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity; and her most recent book, Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility.

In addition to other honors, she has been a guest lecturer in Japan, Malaysia, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, and Argentina.

The citation for the APA distinguished contributions award reads, in part, “…her pioneering work revealed the profound effects of increasing mindful behavior…and offers new hope to millions whose problems were previously seen as unalterable and inevitable. Ellen Langer has demonstrated repeatedly how our limits are of our own making.”