Learned Helplessness

    The psychological disorder known as "learned helplessness" was first thoroughly examined by Martin Seligman and associates. It describes a state that is usually acquired by frequent exposure to unpredictable and unpleasant situations, when a person feels they have no control over their surroundings and that their efforts are pointless. This idea is especially important since it clarifies the psychological processes that cause depression and other mental illnesses. The concepts of learned helplessness state that people who, in spite of their best efforts, consistently fail or have unfavorable results may grow to feel helpless. This condition can impact motivation, emotional stability, and problem-solving skills, among other areas of their lives.

    Critically, learned helplessness challenges traditional views of behaviorism by highlighting the role of cognitive processes and internal attributions. In contrast to the emphasis on external stimuli and automatic reactions in classical conditioning, learned helplessness highlights the significance of an individual's perceptions and beliefs regarding their control over outcomes. Though it has been criticized, the idea of learned helplessness has offered significant perspectives into the development and ongoing nature of depressive symptoms as well as other mental illnesses. Some argue that the complexities of human behavior and resilience may be oversimplified by experimental models employed for studying learned helplessness. Furthermore, taking individual characteristics and environmental factors into account is necessary when applying it to comprehend real-world behaviors and treatments.