Research, Technology

What is learned helplessness?

In 1967, professor of psychology at the UniversityPennsylvanian Martin Seligman and his colleague Stephen Mayer studied animal behavior based on the experiments of the Soviet physiologist Ivan Pavlov. This outstanding scientist became the first Nobel laureate in Russia in 1904 and almost all of his experiments took place on dogs (such was the price of studying the conditioned reflex). Seligman, however, became interested in the unusual behavior of the animals: the dogs were placed in a cage with a button, pressing which was encouraged by food and electric shock. At some point, the animals stopped feeding, but they continued to press the button. This behavior intrigued Seligman and Mayer - they couldn't understand why dogs, subjected to a series of electric shocks, continued to press the button without avoiding it and literally refusing to "work".

Learned helplessness is a mental state in which a living being does not feel the connection between effort and result. This phenomenon was discovered by the American psychologist Martin Seligman in 1967.

Content

  • 1 The same dog
  • 2 Help yourself (or not)
  • 3 Bad habit
  • 4 Symptoms of learned helplessness
  • 5 Is learned helplessness a disease?
  • 6 How to overcome learned helplessness?

The same dog

When it comes to "Pavlov's dog" manypoint to the cruelty and cynicism of the Soviet academician. The scientist, however, extremely painfully perceived the death of each pet and did everything possible to prevent suffering - most of the experimental subjects survived safely in the laboratory.

So, Pavlov's discovery conditioned reflex along with the creation of the science of higher nervous activity forever changed the world.

Over the years of work, the Soviet academician spentmany experiments. The most famous was the experiment with the bell. Imagine standing in front of a dog and ringing a bell, then feed the pet. This experience must be constantly repeated in order for the skill to finally be fixed. But what happens if one day will you only have a bell? Pavlov learned the answer by carefully observing the experimental person - it turned out that at that moment the dog was producing gastric juice, and the dog, licking its lips, was involuntarily ready for a meal.

In his experiments, Pavlov, at first glance, did not spare the dogs.

The essence of the experiments of the Soviet physiologistconsisted in the use of stimuli (a sound signal and weak electric shocks), which were presented in pairs - first a sound and then a discharge. Over time, he managed to teach dogs to associate sound with a current discharge and respond to it (be scared). Subsequently, American scientists paid attention to this behavior and came to an amazing discovery - learned helplessness.

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Help yourself (or not)

In 1964, Seligman and a colleague studiedfundamental causes of mental illness. Their discovery, however, happened by accident in the course of numerous experiments on the Pavlov model. Observing the reaction of experimental dogs to external stimuli, Seligman noticed that the animals seemed to have come to terms with their plight. They were electrocuted and not given food, but in response they simply lay there and whined, taking no action (while having the opportunity to put an end to the torment).

Seligman and Meyer set to workanimals in a special box, divided by two low partitions. They believed that the dogs would be frightened by electrical discharges and jump over the partition, hitting the safe compartment. However, the animals did not. At that very moment, Seligman suggested for the first time that the subjects were accustomed to stimuli (regardless of whether they followed commands or not).

Learned helplessness is a state in which failure to influence a situation in the past leads to inaction in the future.

Needless to say, how much this discovery surprisedscientists - before them, no one studied the causes of helpless behavior and did not know where it comes from. For this reason, Seligman devoted the next ten years to the study of helplessness, a phenomenon reminiscent of a bad habit.

You may be wondering: Why do large groups of people often come to the same conclusions?

Bad habit

Today social scientists know a lot about learned helplessness, which is also characteristic of us.Finding ourselves in a difficult life situation, it is difficult for us to find a way out of it, even if it is before our eyes. As subsequent experiments have shown, people with learned helplessness often complain, feel overwhelmed and unable to change anything.

Since in experiments with people, electric shockschanged to a loud sound, those who could not control it did not try to do it. And even in subsequent tests. This discovery led to a new understanding of psychological trauma - people who are constantly exposed to abuse and other unpleasant situations learn helplessness. But only if their actions do not allow to change the situation.

Learned Helplessness: Why the 'Take Your Own Life' Advice Doesn't Work.

They seem to learn that if in a traumaticthe situation did not work, then it will continue to be so. At this point, the trauma begins to destroy two other critical aspects of mental well-being − self-efficacy and internal locus of control.

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Self-efficacy is the level of confidence inthat you can handle challenges and learn new skills. Internal locus of control is the tendency to perceive circumstances that are directly under your control. When these two traits become a habit, you feel confident even when things go really bad.

image result
Learned behavior is behavior that results from learning.

However, when learned helplessness takes over,you are no longer so confident in your ability to cope with difficulties. You simply do not believe that all your actions do not matter, which makes it seem impossible to get out of an unfavorable situation and helplessness quickly becomes a habit.

Symptoms of learned helplessness

Each of us knows how difficult it is to copewith adversity, especially when you are not in control. The problem is that learned helplessness has deeper roots. For example, low self-esteem, frustration, passivity, lack of effort and unwillingness to fight difficulties, overcoming them.

In learned helplessness, people treat badlyto themselves and doubt their ability to complete even the simplest and smallest task. Loss of control over the situation is confusing, and pessimism and self-doubt discourages any desire to do at least something.

People with this mindset don't put much effort into avoiding difficulties or increasing their chances of success.

Learned helplessness is personal helplessness that is stable and not situational, but general. More common in children and adolescents

Moreover, learned helplessness leads toprocrastination and avoidance of decision making. People in this state often try to do something, but quickly give up, and all subsequent difficulties seem unbearable to them.

Is learned helplessness a disease?

The researchers note that the learnedhelplessness is not a mental illness, and therefore it is called to consider it as an all-or-nothing thought disorder or as a cognitive distortion - a problematic thought pattern that leads to inappropriate behavior.

Learned helplessness also hasthe ability to exacerbate existing mental health problems. As a rule, this is associated with anxiety, depression, phobias and loneliness. Such helplessness is accompanied by low motivation, lack of control over one's own life and low self-esteem.

Often depression goes hand in hand with learned helplessness.

The way we interpret and explain what is happening to us and the behavior of others explains pessimism and reduces the ability to actively respond to negative events, the researchers report.

Experts also point to the connection of the learnedhelplessness and depressive disorders. When a failed person is a pessimist, they are more likely to become depressed. At the same time, failures cause only short-term demoralization in optimists and mentally healthy people.

More on the topic: What is depression and why should it be treated?

How to overcome learned helplessness?

Fortunately, previous studiesshowed that learned helplessness can be overcome. In cases where helplessness is associated with an inability to control the outcome of future events, it is necessary to concentrate on what is in your area of ​​\u200b\u200bresponsibility and control. Also, keep in mind that different people react differently to situations that contribute to learned helplessness.

The difference between those who have learnedhelplessness resolves quickly and in those who suffer from symptoms for two weeks or more is usually low: the latter group is more likely to be pessimistic. This means that learned helplessness has become a habit, and therefore it is necessary to change the attitude towards one's own successes and failures.

Often, a state of learned helplessness makes a person feel powerless and unable to make decisions.

Since life often consists of the samehabits, we may need willpower to change the situation. For this reason, many choose the path of least resistance, while researchers advise changing social circles.

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In fact, the daily application of even the mostminor changes in your life can be beneficial. And if there are more and more such actions, their regular implementation will give a feeling of victory and movement forward. It is also necessary to take care of yourself, rejoice in achievements and recognize them. Mental health experts remind you that fighting helplessness can become your new and rewarding habit.