Learned Helplessness

While conducting research on classical conditioning at the University of Pennsylvania in the 60's, Martin Seligman accidentally discovered the theory of learned helplessness. He observed that dogs that received a shock on one side of a box didn't even try to jump over the dividing fence to the other side of the box where, unbeknown to the poor pup, there would be no shock given. The dog here illustrated the concept of learned helplessness- he didn't even attempt to escape to safety because he assumed the shock would be on the other side of the fence as well. This assumption is an example of the cognitive element of classical conditioning.

Learned helplessness is very much present in humans too. In life we are constantly faced with failures and defeats that crush us. They make us feel like we are helpless, that we have no control over our lives and what goes on in it. Learned helplessness explains why we often remain passive or indifferent to adverse situations in life even when we have the capability of changing the outcome. The idea of earned helplessness has even been used in relation to very weighty situations and disorders such as depression, domestic abuse, poverty, discrimination, addiction, etc.

The moral of the story: We have control over our lives and situations. Want to lose those few extra pounds? Hard work will get you there! Want to improve your grades? Better get on it, sister! Want to make some extra moolah? Find someone in need of a babysitter! You got this, I promise.
(Am I as inspiring as Charlie Harary yet?)

I'll end here with a fun fact: Martin Seligman's favorite color is magenta because of its amazing calming effects on then body. Cool.