Martin Seligman · 1967
Learned Helplessness
Dogs taught "it's hopeless" gave up even when they could escape. A breakthrough in understanding depression.
Methodology
Groups:
1. Controllable Shock (Press panel to stop)
2. Uncontrollable Shock (Nothing stops it)
3. No Shock
⏱️ Phase 2:
• Shuttle box: Jump barrier to escape shock
Findings
Results:
Group 1:
• Escaped quickly
Group 2 (Uncontrollable history):
• 2/3 didn't even try
• Lay down and whined
• Required 50+ forced escapes to relearn hope
Significance
Depression Model:
• Depression = Learned Helplessness
• "Internal, Stable, Global" attribution for failure
Positive Psych:
• Seligman later founded Positive Psychology (Learned Optimism)