Learned helplessness
Learned helplessness is a state in which, after repeated experiences of lack of influence, a person stops trying to act, even when there is a real possibility of change.
Definition
Learned helplessness is associated with the experience of lack of control over important consequences. It can lead to a decrease in motivation, lower belief in influence and avoidance of attempts to act. Contemporary approaches emphasize that the key is not only "learning helplessness", but also learning control: regaining the experience that specific actions can actually change the situation.
Key ideas
- Experience of lack of influence
- Decrease in initiative
- Rebuilding the sense of control
Practice and life
Choose one very small thing that you can influence today. Take the action, record the result, and repeat the process for a few days to rebuild the link between action and consequence.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to confuse learned helplessness with laziness. It is also a mistake to jump straight into big changes when the motivational system first needs small proofs of agency.
> When nothing works for too long, the mind can confuse the past with the future.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- In what situations do I assume nothing can be done?
- Does this belief describe facts or a history of past failure?
- What is the smallest piece of evidence of influence I can create today?