Control, autonomy, and agency—these are not just buzzwords in psychology but foundational concepts that shape our mental and physical well-being. The seminal research by Langer and Rodin (1976) on the role of control in predicting health outcomes provides a striking illustration of just how powerful these factors can be. Their work, conducted in a nursing home, found that residents who were given more control over their daily lives—through simple choices like rearranging furniture or caring for a plant—reported higher levels of happiness and, more strikingly, were more likely to be alive 18 months later than those in the comparison group. This groundbreaking study paved the way for a deeper understanding of the profound impact that control, or the lack thereof, can have on our health.

Autonomy and agency are deeply intertwined with our sense of control. Autonomy refers to the ability to make our own choices and decisions, while agency is the capacity to act upon those choices. These concepts are critical in shaping how we view ourselves and the world around us. When we feel in control........

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