Learned Helplessness

Learned Helplessness

Martin E.P. Seligman

• The experiment Learned Helplessness was discovered by psychologist Martin E.P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier. They observed helpless behavior in dogs that were conditioned to expect a shock after hearing a tone. Later, the dogs were placed in a shuttle box that contained two chambers separated by a low barrier. The floor was electrified on one side, and not on the other. The dogs made no attempt to escape even though they could avoid the shock by jumping over the barrier.

Learned Helplessness

• Learned Helplessness occurs when an animal is repeatedly to a punishing stimulus that it cannot escape. Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation. When the animal is offered opportunities to escape are given, the learned helplessness will prevent any action. This can also apply to humans, when people feel that they have no control over a situation they may began to behave in a helpless manner. This may cause people to overlook the opportunities for relief or change.

Slide 4

• This can also apply to humans, when people feel that they have no control over a situation they may began to behave in a helpless manner. This may cause people to overlook the opportunities for relief or change.
• 

Slide 5

• Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation. When the animal is offered opportunities to escape are given, the learned helplessness will prevent any action.