Question

Write a brief note on the following:

Learned helplessness

Answer 1

Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which an individual, after experiencing repeated failures or aversive events beyond their control, comes to believe that they are powerless to change their situation. This belief leads to passive and helpless behavior, even when opportunities to escape or improve the situation are available.

Originally identified in animal studies by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier, learned helplessness is also observed in humans, particularly in contexts like chronic illness, academic failure, or abusive relationships. It is often associated with depression and low self-esteem, where individuals fail to take initiative or try to solve problems due to a perceived lack of control over outcomes.