Learned Helplessness Theory in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the criticisms of the original theory of learned helplessness?

It goes beyond the experimental findings in dogs exposed to electric shocks. (correct)

It perfectly explains depression in humans.

It explains why a third of subjects show no effect.

It is only applicable to animals, not humans.

What is the paradox mentioned in the critique of the theory of learned helplessness as a theory of depression?

Paradox of self-blame (correct)

Paradox of no self-blame

Paradox of unpredictability

Paradox of uncontrollability

What is a possible neurochemical explanation for learned helplessness?

No neurochemical explanation is possible

Decreased dopamine levels

Neurochemical changes due to electric shocks (correct)

Increased serotonin levels

What is a limitation of the original study on learned helplessness?

It was only conducted on dogs exposed to electric shocks. Signup and view all the answers

What is an application of Church's (1964) critique of yoked control designs?

Subjects may differ in sensitivity to shock. Signup and view all the answers

What is not a criticism of the original theory of learned helplessness?

It is widely accepted as a theory of depression. Signup and view all the answers

What is mentioned as a possible explanation for the results, but not due to

uncontrollability, unpredictability Signup and view all the answers

Who published a book on learned helplessness in 1975?

M.E.P. Seligman Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiment was designed to answer the research question?

3-group 'triadic' experiment Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Group 1 in the experiment?

To test the effect of escapable shock Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Group 2 in Phase 2 of the experiment?

Interference, two-thirds failed to learn Signup and view all the answers

What is the first deficit produced by exposing organisms to uncontrollable outcomes according to the original theory of learned helplessness?

Cognitive deficit Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary observation made by Bruce Overmier, Martin Seligman, and Steven Maier in the 1960s dog experiments?

Dogs did not learn to escape from shocks in a shuttle box. Signup and view all the answers

How does the original theory of learned helplessness go beyond the original experimental findings?

It applies to all organisms Signup and view all the answers

What was the main research question in the original dog experiments?

Does receiving electric shocks make dogs helpless later in the shuttle box? Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the theory of learned helplessness first introduced?

1969 Signup and view all the answers

What was a criticism of the yoked 'triadic' dog experiments?

They did not check for signs of depression in the dogs Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the uncontrollable outcomes in the original theory of learned helplessness?

3 deficits Signup and view all the answers

What was the title of the book published in 1993 related to learned helplessness?

Learned Helplessness Signup and view all the answers

What is the third deficit produced by exposing organisms to uncontrollable outcomes according to the original theory of learned helplessness?

Emotional deficit Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the original dog experiments?

To investigate the concept of learned helplessness in dogs. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 1975 experiment in the context of learned helplessness?

It was the first human 'helplessness' experiment published. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the psychologist who developed the theory of learned helplessness?

Martin Seligman Signup and view all the answers

What was the term used to describe the dogs' behavior in the shuttle box experiment?

Learned helplessness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Historical Timeline of Early Research

1967: Triadic experiments with dogs were conducted
1969: Theory of learned helplessness was introduced
1975: First human 'helplessness' experiment was published
1978: Attributional reformulation was made
1989: Hopelessness depression theory was introduced
1991: 'Learned Optimism' was published
1993: 'Learned Helplessness' was published

Original Dog Experiments

In the 1960s, Bruce Overmier, Martin Seligman, and Steven Maier observed that dogs receiving electric shocks in a classical conditioning experiment did not learn to escape from shocks in a shuttle box
The researchers designed a 3-group 'triadic' experiment to answer the question of whether receiving electric shocks made dogs 'helpless' later in the shuttle box

Design of Yoked 'Triadic' Dog Experiments

Phase 1: Pavlovian harness
- Group 1: Escapable shock (dog can turn off shock with nose)
- Group 2: Inescapable shock (yoked to Group 1)
- Group 3: No treatment (Control)

Results of Yoked 'Triadic' Dog Experiments

Phase 2: Shuttle box
- Group 1: Escapable shock - Normal Learning
- Group 2: Inescapable shock - Interference, two-thirds failed to learn
- Group 3: No treatment - Normal Learning

Original Theory of Learned Helplessness

Exposing organisms to uncontrollable outcomes produces 3 deficits:
- Cognitive deficit: Belief that outcomes are uncontrollable
- Motivational deficit: Lack of response initiation
- Emotional deficit: Fear and eventually depression

Criticisms of Yoked 'Triadic' Dog Experiments

Does not rule out the possibility of instrumental response
Possible neurochemical explanation
Application of Church's (1964) critique of yoked control designs
Results could be due to unpredictability (not uncontrollability)

Criticisms of Original Theory of Learned Helplessness

Goes beyond the experimental findings
Fails to explain why a third of subjects show no effect
As a theory of depression:
- Paradox of self-blame
- Fails to explain why not everyone is depressed

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Description

This quiz covers the original learned helplessness dog experiments, criticisms of the theory, and the historical timeline of early research in biological and learning psychology.