PSYCH 111 ESSAY 3

Winter 2016

Fate, luck, and destiny have served as subjects of debate for centuries: the question of
whether or not someone controls their life or the path that they take is one that cannot be
answered absolutely. Everyone seems to have their own interpretation of lifes guidelines, but
most fall into one of two categories: internal and external locus of control (where locus means
location).
According to Julian Rotter, a psychological behaviorist with great influence over
psychology and its history, believes that people who interpret the consequences of their
behavior to be controlled by luck, fate, or powerful others generally believe in an external locus
of control (Hock, 2012). This takes the effects of their actions, situations, and choices and
chooses fate or destiny to serve as the causation. For example, in the film Young at Heart, the
senior Joe comments that only God can choose when its your turn to go and to pass away this
puts the power of life into the hands of God and mostly into fate and destiny, which makes it
external.
On the other hand, having an internal locus of control is when someone interprets their
own choices and personality as responsible for their behavioral consequences (Hock, 2012).
The general belief is that those who view life from the internal perspective are more likely to
have self-control and function better in general society. Bob Climan, the director, is discussing
the state of Bob Salvini, a few seniors jump in to say that theyve had the last rites read to them.
Jean is asked if she saw the light, and she responded no, I refused to look. (Walker & George,
2007). This is a prime example of having an internal locus of control, as she saw her avoidance
of death as a result of her own will.
Throughout the show, Bob Climan makes comments about how as long as the seniors
want to do the numbers and put in the work needed, theyre capable of it especially with the
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song Yes We Can. This mindset of people being responsible for their own ability leads him to
have an internal locus of control, and although those with an internal locus of control tend to be
better adjusted, it can be difficult when situations truly are out of their control. When Joe fell ill
and realized that he would not be able to perform with the choir anymore, Bob had to accept that
the medical issues present were going prevent that from happening (Walker & George, 2007). It
seems as though Rotter would have been pleased with Climans reaction, as he didnt try to fight
the situation and he didnt lash out but rather recognized and accepted that it was out of his
control.
The idea of learned helplessness feeling like a pawn in fates hands and becoming
helpless and depressed goes along with the viewpoint of the external focus of control (Hock,
2012). Both Seligman and Rotter found that those who believed that they were helpless in their
fate, that their actions were bound to fate, destiny, and/or a higher power/person, were more
likely to encounter issues. The idea that they lacked control over their path increases that the
chances of developing depression, staying in emotionally damaging relationships, and giving up
in general, allowing themselves to remain in unfortunate situations and not take serious action to
change things (Hock, 2012).
Primary appraisal is ones first reaction to an event, and involves deciding if the event is
(1) irrelevant to you, (2) relevant but not threatening, or (3) stressful (Weiten, 2013). When the
news of Bobs death is delivered to the chorus on the bus, many of the choir members react in
shouts and groans and oh nos. This reaction indicates that they realize immediately that the
event is stressful, which is an example of primary appraisal. Later on, when the news is given to
Fred, Bobs duet partner, Fred demonstrates secondary appraisal, or the evaluation of coping
resources and options for dealing with the stress (Weiten, 2013). Fred expresses sadness and
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admits that it really put things in perspective for him, and that he talked to his son and his wife,
who are likely part of his support system. When asked if he was still going to perform, he said he
would. His option for dealing with the stress is shown when he says he wants to dedicate the
song to Bob. This is his way of acknowledging it, living on through it, and feeling as though he
has honored the stress and allowed it to impact him.
Since stress elicits reactions and usually requires coping resources and options for
managing and responding to the stress, resilience serves as one way of showing the positive
outcomes that stress can involve. Resilience, which refers to successful adaptation to significant
stress and trauma, as evidences by a lack of serious negative consequences, is one of Young at
Hearts strongest and most important qualities (Weiten, 2013). Though the choir members were
clearly saddened and hurt by the news of Bobs death, they took that sadness and pain and
pushed through it. One member shares that they must press on in spite of it and keep him in our
memory, which shows that the choir is choosing to progress instead of fall prey to the
difficulties of stress. They chose to do everything in their power to honor Bob and to make him
proud, and with that in mind, the choir gave a beautiful performance in Bobs memory.
Maslows Hierarchy of needs, one of the key components of the Humanistic Theories of
Personality, is the idea that a goal of humans is to be self-actualized and that humanistic needs
are arranged in a hierarchy (the lower needs must be satisfied before the higher ones) to satisfy
the innate desire for self-growth (Schreier, March 17th, 2016). The seniors in Young at Heart have
clearly lived very full lives, and it is interesting to see how they met each of the needs in their
own way.
The first set of needs is physiological needs. These are the very basic elements of survival
and involve taking care of hunger, thirst, and so forth (Schreier, March 17th, 2016). Fred, a senior,
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carries around his oxygen tank with him everywhere. He has difficulty breathing (which is
clearly a basic element of survival) yet makes a serious effort to improve his breathing and take
care of his physiological needs before going to sing in the choir. In terms of safety and security
needs, or the need for long-term survival and stability, we look to Eileen. Shes lived in the Arbor
nursing home for quite some time, and now possesses her own key to the front door. This takes
care of her safety and security because she has a place to go and made the plan ahead of time to
be able to return to her home (Walker & George, 2007).
The next need is belongingness and love, which is the need for affiliation and acceptance
(Weiten 2013). In a way, I think that all the seniors in the chorus demonstrate progress towards
satisfying this need. At one point, Elaine mentions making a big sound when everyone blend[s]
together and how it sort of makes you feel good to be a part of [the choir] (Walker & George,
2007). This shows that she feels a sense of affiliation and acceptance within the choir, the
satisfying that need. Similarly, the following set includes need is esteem needs, which is
achievement and gaining of recognition. Before his death, Joe talks about how wonderful it feels
to perform in front of an audience. The people are appreciative; he mentions that when you go
out on stage and they start clapping, which is a sign of recognition of his achievement.
Cognitive needs are explained as the needs for knowledge and understanding (Weiten
2013). Though the chorus members may be old, theyre still learning. Eileen mentions that her
favorite music was classical and music from classic musicals, but she takes the time to learn new
music, like Schizophrenia and punk songs. She learns all the lyrics and really commits to
understanding. In the beginning, Bob, the director, mentions how important the lyrics are to the
chorus, which shows that they really make an effort to learn and understand not only the lyrics
but also the meanings behind them. Likewise, aesthetic needs include the need for order and
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beauty. Lenny mentions that being in the choir makes him forget all of the creaky bones and the
knee and the hips, the shoulders, the fingers (Walker & George, 2007). This is an example of
satisfying the aesthetic needs as it gives Lenny a sense of beauty and order in his elderly, not-sowell-functioning body.
Finally, at the top of the pyramid, there is the need for self-actualization, which is
regarded as the realization of potential. Fred is a wonderful example of this. Despite all the
medical problems in his way, he got up and performed Fix You in an absolutely beautiful
manner (Walker & George, 2007). He lives up to his potential and recognizes that he is capable
of that and so much more, which is really what life is all about.
Since self-actualization sits at the top of the pyramid, it serves as the leading goal of life
(according to Maslow and his theories regarding need). By participating in the Young at Heart
choir, all the members are furthering their ability. They have a place where they feel safe and
secure, where they belong, where their esteem is improved and they are constantly pressed to
think more and smile more. This leads them to realize that their age is not an indicator of their
ability.

Works Cited
Hock, R. R. (2012). Forty studies that changed psychology: explorations into the history of
psychology research (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Schreier, Shelly. Research Enterprise. University of Michigan., Psych 111: Introduction to
Psychology. Ann Arbor, Michigan. March 17, 2016.
Walker, S. & George, S. (Producer/Director). (2007). Young@Heart [videorecording]. UK: Fox
Searchlight.
Weiten, W. (2013). Psychology: Themes and Variations (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.