A review of research literature pertaining to locus of control in older adults and its application to social and educational settings indicates that reliable generalizations about the self-concept of older adults require a careful consideration of both personal and situational variables. Four separate processes are useful in understanding the formation of the self-concept in older adults: self-attribution, reflected appraisal, social comparison, and identification. Research relating personality factors to locus of control suggests that loss of control is often associated with feelings of helplessness and with physical decline and can even lead to learned helplessness. Mindlessness is another attribute frequently associated with age and occurs when cognitive activity is habitually and automatically reduced. Research on cognitive and noncognitive interventions and educational outcomes, although not conclusive, does suggest that intervention with respect to cognitive performance in elderly individuals can be facilitated through training. Forms of therapy that provide adults with some sort of responsibility (such as horticulture or pet therapy) seem effective as well. One area that seems particularly promising is that of gerontological counseling. (MN)