CH. 14 Martin Seligman - Learned Helplessness

what is Seligman’s theory?

learned helplessness

Learned helplessness

perception of someone who does not have control over their environment

when does helplessness occur?

observed helplessness, continuous subjection to not having control

Enhanced Interrogation Methods - Goal

induce helplessness and compliance

Enhanced Interrogation Methods

Nudity, cold/wet exposure, no sleep, loud noise, diet restriction, stress positions, conditional kindness, shackling, sensory deprivation, environmental disorientation

Research - Emotional and Physical

Emotional - control over own life = psychological benefits

Physical - learned helplessness = weakened immune system in rats

Explanatory Style - Optimistic and Pessimistic

Def. - explaining to self the lack of environmental control

Optimistic - Prevents learned helplessness, expects good things to happen 

Pessimistic - expect bad things to happen, helplessness spreads to all aspects of life 

Research on Optimism

High Optimism -

Less: sick, stress, depression

Live longer, faster grieving, individualistic cultures, better grades

More: flexible/adaptable in their cognitive ability

Development of Learned Helplessness

Learned during formative years = pessimistic explanatory style

Influential factors: genetics, learned, level of parental ed, negative experiences, poverty, race