Learned helplessness is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual learns to feel helpless and powerless to control or change a situation, even when there is a possibility of changing it. This can happen when an individual experiences repeated negative events that they perceive as uncontrollable, leading them to believe that their actions have no effect on the outcome. The term “learned helplessness” was coined by psychologist Martin Seligman in the late 1960s.
Seligman conducted a series of experiments with dogs, where they were subjected to electric shocks that they couldn’t escape. After repeated exposure, the dogs stopped trying to escape, even when given the opportunity. He also found that learned helplessness could be mitigated through cognitive therapy and other interventions. Some examples of Seligman’s experiments include:
- In one experiment, dogs were placed in a shuttle box with two compartments separated by a barrier. The dogs were shocked on one side of the box, and the only way to escape the shocks was to jump over the barrier to the other side. Dogs that had previously been exposed to uncontrollable shocks in a different setting were less likely to escape the shocks in the shuttle box, even when they had the ability to do so.
- In another experiment, Seligman found that humans who were exposed to uncontrollable negative events, such as noise or flashing lights, were more likely to develop symptoms of depression and helplessness than those who had control over the events.
Other examples of learned helplessness include:
- A student who repeatedly fails tests despite studying hard may begin to feel that their efforts are futile, leading to a belief that they are incapable of success.
- A person who repeatedly experiences rejection in romantic relationships may begin to feel that they are unlovable and powerless to change their situation.
- A prisoner who has been in solitary confinement for an extended period may become apathetic and give up on trying to change their circumstances, even when they have the opportunity to do so.
Knowing about learned helplessness can be helpful for someone struggling with addiction to stealing because it can help them identify the negative thought patterns that are contributing to their behavior. By recognizing that they have the power to change their situation and control their actions, they can work to develop a more positive and proactive outlook. Therapy and other interventions can also be helpful in addressing learned helplessness and breaking the cycle of addiction.
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