That's because their locus of control lays outside them. What that means is that everything they experience they see as outside forces working upon them. It's a common personality type and is referred to as a victim mentality, martyrdom complex, etc. But it has serious implications as to how one reacts to stressors.
When someone has an internal locus of control, they become their own advocate and they work to bring about the change or reality they conceptualize. They are not easily led. Locus fo control, while partially innate, is largely learned and fostered. Empty vessels, whether empty of ethics, confidence, education or critical thought, are simply storage containers for the ideas of others.
