Helplessness refers to maladaptive passivity in situations where an active response can alleviate negative conditions or produce positive ones. Helplessness entails not just a deficit in activity, but also a lack of motivation, aversive feelings—notably anxiety and depression—and cognitive difficulties in recognizing that certain behaviors indeed affect what happens. Helplessness has been explained from theoretical
Learned Helplessness Definition Learned helplessness refers to a phenomenon in which an animal or human experiences an uncontrollable, inescapable event and subsequently has difficulty obtaining desirable outcomes, even when it is easy to do so. The term is often used to explain why people may display passive, helpless behavior or feel powerless in situations that
Learned helplessness is a condition that is brought about by repeated exposure to negative stimuli. The result is that the individual learns that there are no options and no possibility for an escape from the negative stimuli. Helplessness exists when an individual’s actions have no perceived positive effect on outcomes. Learned helplessness is when an
Learned helplessness, a seminal concept in the field of psychology, emerged from Martin Seligman’s pioneering research in the mid-20th century. This phenomenon represents a state of psychological disempowerment resulting from a perceived lack of control over aversive events. This article offers an exploration of learned helplessness, spanning its historical development, underlying causes, and mechanisms, as
Learned helplessness is a behavior pattern involving a maladaptive response characterized by avoidance of challenges, negative affect, and the collapse of problem-solving strategies when obstacles arise. Three components are necessary for learned helplessness to be present: contingency, cognition, and behavior. Contingency is the idea that there is an identifiable relation between one’s actions and the
This article delves into the intricate realm of health psychology, specifically focusing on the pervasive issue of helplessness in the context of chronic illness. Beginning with an exploration of the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of individuals grappling with chronic conditions, the article elucidates the factors contributing to the profound sense of helplessness experienced by
This article explores the intricate relationship between helplessness, trauma, and recovery within the field of health psychology. The introduction delineates the conceptualization of helplessness, emphasizing its theoretical foundations, especially in the context of learned helplessness. The first section delves into the profound impact of helplessness on trauma survivors, elucidating the psychological and emotional consequences, including
This article delves into the intricate interplay between learned helplessness and depression, offering an exploration of the phenomenon’s theoretical underpinnings, neurobiological correlates, and contemporary treatment modalities within the realm of health psychology. Commencing with an overview of depression, the discussion centers on learned helplessness, tracing its roots to seminal studies by Seligman and Maier. Cognitive
This article explores the intricate relationship between helplessness and the stress response within the domain of health psychology. Beginning with an overview of stress and its pervasive impact on health, the narrative delves into the theoretical underpinnings of learned helplessness, elucidating its role as a psychological construct. Examining the physiological mechanisms, the article explores how
This article delves into the intricate relationship between learned helplessness and mental health, providing an exploration of its definition, theoretical underpinnings, and psychological mechanisms. Beginning with an introduction elucidating the significance of understanding learned helplessness in the context of mental health, the article progresses to explicate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral facets of this phenomenon.