If you, with enviable consistency, blame the higher powers / state / bad heredity / insidious masons for all troubles (emphasize the right one) - this text is definitely for you.
The concept of learned helplessness, or learned helplessness, came into use thanks to the American psychologist Martin Seligman.
In the early 1960s, the scientist decided to supplement the study of conditioned reflexes by IP Pavlov and artificially develop in experimental dogs a stable fear of the sound of a bell.
For this, the animals, locked in cages, were shocked every time a ringing was heard. Seligman suggested that when the opportunity presented itself, the dogs would scatter from this trill like fire.
In fact, everything turned out to be wrong: the cages were opened, but after another ringing, the animals dutifully lay down on the floor and whined in anticipation of the discharge.
Learned helplessness
Three years later, the scientist, teamed up with colleague Stephen Mayer, decided to confirm the obvious conclusion.This time, two groups of dogs were involved:
some found themselves in the same hopeless situation with the current, others could save themselves and their comrades in misfortune from the first group by poking a button with their noses.
After some time, all the dogs were moved to electrified enclosures, which could easily be left by breaking a small barrier.
It is easy to guess that the animals from the second group, having mastered the action-rescue chain, quickly ran away from danger, while the dogs that had previously found themselves in conditions of hopelessness remained and suffered pain.
It hurts, but I endure, because I do not know what can not be tolerated.
In the 70s, other scientists experimentally proved the existence of the phenomenon of acquired helplessness in humans. For example, psychologist Donald Hiroto "tortured" volunteers with a loud annoying sound.
At the same time, one group of experimental subjects had the opportunity to turn it off, while the other had only to wait for it to end.
Then the torment was briefly stopped, and all subjects were asked to place their hand in a special box. As soon as they touched the bottom, the unpleasant sound was heard again.
Neither group was aware that if you touch one of the sides of the box, the rattling will stop. However, those who previously could have saved themselves from uncomfortable sensations on their own were actively looking for a way out now, while the rest clearly demonstrated the learned helplessness.
In 1976, psychologists Ellen Jane Langer and Judith Roden conducted a study of the phenomenon in a nursing home. Different living conditions were created for the guests from different floors: for some, everything, right down to the menu and the furnishings of the rooms, was decided by the staff, while others made independent decisions. Three weeks later, the subjects were asked how satisfied they were with life, and their health was tested. It was found that active participants were in better physical and emotional state than passive ones.
Moreover, the scientists returned to the institution six months later and found that this trend continued: the guests who controlled their lives during the experiment were still in an enviable tone and were more proactive than the participants in the other group.
This experience proved not only the very fact of the existence of learned helplessness, but also its influence on the physical and emotional health of a person.
According to Seligman's findings,
learned helplessness is a deficit of ability in three areas:
- motivational,
- cognitive
- emotional.
Natalia Solntseva, Ph.D. in Psychology, notes that it is possible to diagnose learned helplessness in a person with the help of marker phrases that are often used in everyday life: “I can't,” “I don't want,” “always,” “never , ”“ Everything is useless, ”“ in our family everyone is like that ”and so on. If you often find yourself using these insidious attitudes, it is worth considering.
How is helplessness formed?
In the course of further experiments, Martin Seligman found out: dogs with learned helplessness brought up this property in their puppies. The same pattern operates in the human world.
Psychologist Diana Tsiering identifies four types of dysfunctional parenting behavior that leads to the formation of helplessness in children:
- hyperprotection (excessive control, tracking every action of the child);
- placing too much responsibility on the child;
- cruel treatment;
- inconsistent upbringing.
“I cannot meet the expectations placed on me, so I prefer not to do anything”;
“My actions cannot stop the violence, I am too small and helpless”;
"I still can't predict how my mom will react, no matter what I do."
However, helplessness is also brought up in healthy families, through simple everyday situations in which parents can act with the best intentions: regular homework for the child (“But it's hard for him, I want to help!”) Deprives him of the feeling that he himself able to earn a good grade; gross flattery about an inept drawing or the first culinary experience (“But I just want to praise!”) deprives of motivation for further development, and gender stereotypes (“Well, he's a boy, why does he need to dance ?!”) impose a ban on many real the needs of the child.
In adult life, the function of educator of learned helplessness is transferred to society.
American anthropologist and culturologist Rian Eisler conducted a study of different periods of human development and identified two types of culture:
- dominant
- affiliate.
Modern society is largely based on a dominant culture.
And its rigid hierarchy, in turn, creates the basis for a real epidemic of helplessness.
So, in many companies, the opinion of the management is approved as the only correct one, and the initiatives of subordinates are suppressed or presented by the bosses as their own; the opinions of students are not taken seriously by teachers; the husband is considered the “head of the family,” and the wife, according to the common belief, must be submissive (by the way, this approach not only forms learned helplessness in women, but also adds to the statistics of domestic violence) ...
The dominant structure is also manifested in the relationship between the state and the citizen: long bureaucratic processes, an aura of inaccessibility around those in power create a feeling of powerlessness.
Among other things, learned helplessness is formed as a result of a series of failures or an experienced stressful event, during which a person completely loses control over the circumstances: a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, an economic crisis.
but on the other hand
Helpless people have atrophied healthy skills for satisfying needs, but the needs themselves, of course, do not disappear anywhere.
In the absence of tools, the dodgy psyche is looking for other ways to fulfill the needs and the person takes the path of manipulation.
It is not for nothing that helplessness is the main "weapon" of the victim from the famous dramatic triangle of Stephen Karpman.
The victim provokes the environment to serve her needs.
This can manifest itself in different ways, but most often - through imposing feelings of guilt and pity on loved ones: demonstrative sighs, complaining about health, lack of money, providing unwanted help (the one who has been “done good”, as a rule, feels obliged to the victim), collection of "debts" for granted ("We raised you!").
“A negative assessment of the world around us, a belief in the inability to control life events and manage them contribute to the emergence of a tendency to manipulate others and the implementation of a manipulative strategy of behavior,” confirms Diana Tsiering.
Being in a state of learned helplessness can be very tempting, because with developed manipulation skills, you can, no, no, but force others to satisfy your needs.
However, there is no question of any healthy, happy relationships between adults here.
What to do?
The good news: some time after the "torture" of dogs, Martin Seligman managed to teach helpless animals to save themselves from the current on their own.
Many people also get rid of infantility through inner work - on their own or with the support of a specialist (the best option is behavioral psychotherapy).
An effective concept for combating helplessness in the 80s was developed by Soviet psychophysiologists Vadim Rotenberg and Vitaly Arshavsky.
The essence of their strategy called "search activity" is to focus on intermediate results and gradually change the uncontrollable situation in small steps.
Today, similar practices (breaking global goals into small tasks) are offered by many business and personal growth coaches, including Gleb Arkhangelsky.
With learned helplessness, global changes really seem scary and unattainable, but small steps are not so scary.
For example, if from childhood you were taught that you are a spender and will never be able to save up, dreams of your own apartment, car or travel seem transcendental ("How can I?"). Try to start with theoretical calculations: look for information about a specific purchase price, write down this figure.
Consider how much you can save from your salary (the excuse "not at all" is not accepted!).
Think about the tools - savings account, additional debit card, envelope in a secluded place?
Count how long it will take.
Once you have a plan, start practicing.
It is better to think about savings right before the salary: today - a ready-made strategy with numbers and deadlines, tomorrow - income and the first deferred amount. An important nuance: reinforce intermediate achievements (even if they seem insignificant) with positive emotions: if you made a deposit, take a day off at work!
Over time, new neural connections will begin to form in the brain, it will become easier to act and change life for the better. And most importantly, an incomparable feeling of inner strength and confidence will appear.
