Abstract: Perceived control has long been concerned as a very important concept in the psychology domain. Recently, some researchers found the traditional theory of perceived control overemphasized the individual ability having effect on the environment, but neglected the objective social context (eg, social political condition, historical and cultural effect and life reality) which may exert impact on the personal perceived control. Primary-Secondary control theory, Negotiable fate, and Compensatory control model have elaborated how perceived control varied in the different social context respectively. Primary-Secondary control theory claimed that the person in the low-control situation should adjust oneself to accept the environment unchangeable and acquire a kind of secondary control. Negotiable fate believed the person in the East-Asia culture context would admit the restrain factors in their life but still persist the personal bounded agency in order to master their life. Compensatory control model held the perspective that when people face the low-personal control circumstances, they would try to gain perceived control through a series of compensatory ways. Some directions proposed based on these theories in order to highlight the ideas of further researches of Chinese perceived control.

Key words: perceived control, social context, primary-secondary control theory, negotiable fate, compensatory control model