Learned helplessness
Learned helplessness is the behavior shown by a subject after having repeated aversive stimuli beyond their control.[1][2]
Overview
[change | change source]Learned helplessness was initially seen as being caused by the subject's acceptance of their powerlessness,[1][2] by way of their discontinuing attempts to escape the aversive stimulus,[1][2] even when such alternatives are unambiguously presented.[1][2]
Upon showing such behavior, the subject was said to have reached a state of learned helplessness.[3] Neuroscience has provided insight into learned helplessness,[3] showing that the original theory was wrong.[3]
The brain's default state assumes that the control is not present.[3] The presence of control is thus learned.[3] However, it is unlearned when a subject is faced with prolonged aversive stimulation.[3]
Humans
[change | change source]In humans, learned helplessness is related to the concept of self-efficacy ‒ the individual's belief in their ability to achieve goals. The learned helplessness theory is the view that clinical depression and related mental illnesses may be caused by a real or perceived absence of control over the outcome of a situation.[4]
Neurobiology
[change | change source]Neurobiological research has shown that increased 5-HT (serotonin) activity in the dorsal raphe nucleus plays a huge role in learned helplessness. Other parts of the brain responsible for helpless behavior include the basolateral amygdala, central nucleus of the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.[5] Activity in medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus, septum and hypothalamus has also been observed during states of helplessness.[5]
Psychology
[change | change source]Developmental psychology
[change | change source]In developmental psychology, the order of various stages of neurobiological development is important.[6] It is said that there are two different types of "helplessness" appearing at different stages of the development.[6] In early development, a baby is naturally helpless and must learn "helpfulness" toward mature neurophysiology.[6]
The "helplessness" that appears after maturation is what is properly called "learned helplessness",[6] despite some researchers equating this infantile form of "helplessness" with the pathological and adult form.[6]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Carlson NR (2010). Psychology the science of behavior. Pearson Canada. p. 409. ISBN 978-0-205-69918-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Nolen, J.L. "Learned helplessness". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Maier SF, Seligman ME (July 2016). "Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience". Psychological Review. 123 (4): 349–367. doi:10.1037/rev0000033. PMC 4920136. PMID 27337390.
- ↑ Seligman ME (1975). Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. ISBN 978-0-7167-2328-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hammack SE, Cooper MA, Lezak KR (February 2012). "Overlapping neurobiology of learned helplessness and conditioned defeat: implications for PTSD and mood disorders". Neuropharmacology. 62 (2). University of Vermont: 565–575. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.02.024. PMC 3433056. PMID 21396383.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Maier SF, Seligman ME (July 2016). "Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience". Psychological Review. 123 (4): 349–367. doi:10.1037/rev0000033. PMC 4920136. PMID 27337390.
