Disability and Human Behavior PDF

Disability and human behavior (Definition &theory) Disability The condition of being unable to perform a task or function because of a physical or mental impairment. Something that disables; handicap. Lack of necessary intelligence, strength, etc. an incapacity in the eyes of the law to enter...

Disability and human behavior (Definition &theory) Disability The condition of being unable to perform a task or function because of a physical or mental impairment. Something that disables; handicap. Lack of necessary intelligence, strength, etc. an incapacity in the eyes of the law to enter into certain transactions. Disable behavior Behavioral disability is a disability that impacts a person's ability to effectively recognize, interpret, control, and express fundamental emotions. Theory of disable behavior Learned hopelessness The theory of learned helplessness was conceptualized and developed by American psychologist Martin E.P. Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1960s and ’70s. While conducting experimental research on doges, The experiment was replicated with human subjects (using loud noise as opposed to electric shocks), yielding similar results. Seligman coined the term learned helplessness to describe the expectation that outcomes are uncontrollable.  Learned helplessness has since become a basic principle of behavioral theory, demonstrating that prior learning can result in a drastic change in behavior and seeking to explain why individuals may accept and remain passive in negative situations despite their clear ability to change them. In his book Helplessness (1975), Seligman argued that, as a result of these negative expectations, other consequences may accompany the inability or unwillingness to act, including low self-esteem, chronic failure, sadness, and physical illness. The theory of learned helplessness also has been applied to many conditions and behaviors, including clinical depression, aging, domestic violence, poverty, discrimination, parenting, academic achievement, drug abuse, and alcoholism. Basics of learned hopelessness  Learned Helplessness is a phenomenon that occurs when a series of negative outcomes or stressors cause someone to believe that the outcomes of life are out of one’s control.  If a person learns that their behavior makes no difference to their aversive environment, they may stop trying to escape from aversive stimuli even when escape is possible.  Martin Seligman and Steven F. Maier first identified learned helplessness as a phenomenon in the 1960s. These psychologists conducted experiments on dogs, finding that, when exposed to repeated shocks that they could not control, the animals refrained from taking action when they could prevent the shocks.  Learned helplessness has notably been linked to and used as an explanation for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in humans, but not without criticism.  There are a number of ways to overcome learned helplessness. One mentioned by Seligman himself is learned hopefulness. What Is Learned Helplessness? Learned Helplessness is a phenomenon where repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors results in people failing to use any methods to control their response to those stressors that are at their disposal in the future. Learned Helplessness in Children Learned helplessness often originates in childhood, and unreliable or unresponsive caregivers can contribute to these feelings. This learned helplessness can begin very early in life. Children raised in institutionalized settings, for example, often exhibit symptoms of helplessness even during infancy. When children need help but no one comes to their aid, they may be left feeling that nothing they do will change their situation. Repeated experiences that bolster these feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can result in growing into adulthood ultimately feeling that there is nothing one can do to change his or her problems. Some common symptoms of learned helplessness in children include:  Failure to ask for help  Frustration  Giving up  Lack of effort  Low self-esteem  Passivity  Poor motivation Learned helplessness can also result in anxiety, depression, or both. When kids feel that they've had no control over the past events of their lives, they gain the expectation that future events will be just as uncontrollable. Because they believe that nothing they do will ever change the outcome of an event, kids are often left thinking that they should not even bother trying. Children may avoid learned helplessness by building resilience. Among the many factors that can contribute to resilience are a positive attachment to caregivers, humor, and independence. Learned Helplessness in adult In adults, learned helplessness presents Trusted Source as a person not using or learning adaptive responses to difficult situations. People in this state typically accept that bad things will happen and that they have little control over them. They are unsuccessful in resolving issues even when there is a potential solution. Below are some examples of situations that can lead to learned helplessness in adults:  Continuing to smoke despite several attempts to quit may cause a person to believe that they will always need to smoke.  Being unable to lose weight after making various dietary or lifestyle changes may cause a person to believe it will never happen and give up trying.  Leaving a situation of domestic abuse can be very difficult. Some people having this experience tend to leave several times Trusted Source before doing so for good. A person may believe they can never escape the situation, even when help and support are available. Learned optimism Learned optimism, a concept introduced by Martin Seligman, is the antithesis of learned helplessness. While learned helplessness involves internalizing a sense of hopelessness about one’s circumstances, learned optimism encourages individuals to challenge their negative thought processes and adopt a more positive outlook. The process of developing learned optimism involves recognizing and questioning the automatic negative thoughts that contribute to feelings of helplessness. When faced with a challenge or setback, individuals with learned optimism actively reframe their thoughts, looking for alternative explanations and solutions rather than defaulting to self-blame or despair. For example, instead of thinking, “I failed because I’m not good enough,” a person practicing learned optimism might think, “This was a tough situation, but I can learn from it and do better next time.” By consistently challenging negative self-talk and focusing on the aspects of a situation they can control, individuals can gradually shift their mindset from one of helplessness to one of resilience and empowerment. Cultivating learned optimism takes time and practice, but it can have a profound impact on an individual’s well-being, motivation, and ability to overcome challenges. By adopting a more optimistic outlook, people can break free from the cycle of learned helplessness and take active steps toward creating positive change in their lives.