When experience with uncontrollable events gives rise to the expectation that events in the future will also elude control, disruptions in motivation, emotion, and learning may ensue. "Learned helplessness" refers to the problems that arise in the wake of uncontrollability. First described in the 1960s among laboratory animals, learned helplessness has since been applied to a variety of human problems entailing inappropriate passivity and demoralization. While learned helplessness is best known as an explanation of depression, studies with both people and animals have mapped out the cognitive and biological aspects. The present volume, written by some of the most widely recognized leaders in the field, summarizes and integrates the theory, research, and application of learned helplessness. Each line of work is evaluated critically in terms of what is and is not known, and future directions are sketched. More generally, psychiatrists and psychologists in various specialties will be interested in the book's argument that a theory emphasizing personal control is of particular interest in the here and now, as individuality and control are such salient cultural topics.

When experience with uncontrollable events gives rise to the expectation that events in the future will also elude control, disruptions in motivation, emotion, and learning may ensue. "Learned helplessness" refers to the problems that arise in the wake of uncontrollability. First described in the 1960's among laboratory animals, learned helplessness has since been applied to a variety of human problems entailing inappropriate passivity and demoralization. While learned helplessness is best known as an explanation of depression, studies with both people and animals have mapped out the cognitive and biological aspects. The present volume summarizes and integrates the theory, research, and application of learned helplessness. Each line of work is evaluated critically in terms of what is and is not known, and future directions are sketched.

Summarizing 25 years of research, the author integrates virtually the entire published literature on the phenomenon of learned helplessness, as well as some unpublished data, into a single coherent theoretical framework. Dr. Mikulincer accounts for the complex nature of the phenomenon by focusing on cognitive, motivational, and emotional processes, and then details a new coping perspective to deal with uncontrollable events. His groundbreaking work will become an essential reference for all future work in the field.

One of the most influential living psychologists looks at the history of his life and discipline, and paints a much brighter future for everyone. When Martin E. P. Seligman first encountered psychology in the 1960s, the field was devoted to eliminating misery: it was the science of how past trauma creates present symptoms. Today, thanks in large part to Seligman's Positive Psychology movement, it is ever more focused not on what cripples life, but on what makes life worth living -- with profound consequences for our mental health. In this wise and eloquent memoir, spanning the most transformative years in the history of modern psychology, Seligman recounts how he learned to study optimism -- including a life-changing conversation with his five-year-old daughter. He tells the human stories behind some of his major findings, like CAVE, an analytical tool that predicts election outcomes (with shocking accuracy) based on the language used in campaign speeches, the international spread of Positive Education, the launch of the US Army's huge resilience program, and the canonical studies that birthed the theory of learned helplessness -- which he now reveals was incorrect. And he writes at length for the first time about his own battles with depression at a young age. In The Hope Circuit, Seligman makes a compelling and deeply personal case for the importance of virtues like hope, gratitude, and wisdom for our mental health. You will walk away from this book not just educated but deeply enriched.

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The father of positive psychology draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to show you how to overcome depression, boost your immune system, and make yourself happier. "Vaulted me out of my funk.... So, fellow moderate pessimists, go buy this book." —The New York Times Book Review Offering many simple techniques anyone can practice, Dr. Seligman explains how to break an “I–give–up” habit, develop a more constructive explanatory style for interpreting your behavior, and experience the benefits of a more positive interior dialogue. With generous additional advice on how to encourage optimistic behavior at school, at work and in children, Learned Optimism is both profound and practical—and valuable for every phase of life.

Understanding and Overcoming Learned Helplessness is intended for anyone who suffers from obsessive compulsive learned helplessness and desires to understand and be free of this troubling condition. Likewise, this book can be helpful for any social worker, mental health counselor, psychologist, physician, or clergy who desires to help clients who suffer from obsessive compulsive learned helplessness or who desires to educate themselves about this condition or enrich themselves by working the Twelve Steps of Recovery.

In a world where personal growth and self-improvement have become essential pursuits, we often find ourselves grappling with invisible barriers that hold us back. This book delves into one such barrier: learned helplessness, a psychological phenomenon that can silently sabotage our efforts to achieve success and happiness. As you embark on this journey of self-discovery, you'll uncover the hidden patterns that may have kept you feeling stuck or powerless. Through a blend of cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and inspiring real-life stories, we'll explore how to break free from the chains of learned helplessness and embrace a mindset of resilience and empowerment. This isn't just another self-help book; it's a roadmap to transforming your life. You'll learn how to identify the symptoms of learned helplessness in your own life, understand its psychological roots, and most importantly, develop the tools to overcome it. From cognitive restructuring techniques to mindfulness practices, you'll gain a comprehensive toolkit for personal transformation. Whether you're struggling with career advancement, relationship issues, or simply feeling stuck in a rut, the insights in this book will help you reclaim your power and rewrite your story. You'll discover how to cultivate a growth mindset, build emotional intelligence, and develop the mental toughness needed to thrive in today's challenging world. As you turn these pages, remember that change is possible. The journey to overcoming learned helplessness is not always easy, but it is infinitely rewarding. Let this book be your companion as you unlock your potential and step into a life of purpose, fulfillment, and unlimited possibilities.