seligmans learned helplessness

Question 1

The “learned helplessness” phenomenon(3 experimental groups)

Answer 1

three groups, 1 led into experimental room, placed in harness for period of time then released, group 2-led into room, harness and exposed to painful shocks which could be stopped if they pressed lever(contingency between behavior and out outcomes), group 3-experiemtnal room,harness,shocks but no control over outcomes, had lever but shocks were not stopped(did not have control over outcomes)

Question 2

2nd phase

Answer 2

all groups placed in shuttle box apparatus, all exposed to pain but could escape by jumping over partition, what do they do→ found group 1 quickly jumped over, group 2 quickly jumped over, group 3 did nothing they laid down(were taught no contingency between behavior and outcomes)

Question 3

When lack of contingency between behavior and outcomes

Answer 3

animals become helpless passive and unmotivated

Question 4

at core of learned helplessness

Answer 4

Unpredictable and uncontrollable events

Question 5

learned helplessness=

Answer 5

Perceived independence of behaviors and outcomes

Question 6

can helplessness generalize?

Answer 6

Depends on two factors- similarity of conditions and intensity of state of distress

Question 7

Examples of learned helplessness in real world

Answer 7

strong belief that lack control over own life-giving up and helplessness is at the root of depression and other psychopathology-voodoo, poverty