Learned Helplessness: A Theory for the Age of Personal Control [Paperback]

Christopher Peterson (Author), Steven F. Maier (Author), Martin E. P. Seligman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195044673 | ISBN-13: 978-0195044676 | Publication Date: October 5, 1995

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The applications of the theory [of learned helplessness] to current issues (including depression, academic achievement, and physical well-being) are exciting, thought-provoking, and highly relevant." --Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health

About the Author

Christopher Petersen is at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Steven F. Maier is at University of Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 5, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195044673
• ISBN-13: 978-0195044676
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read for students of psychology, January 29, 2007

By 

Talia Mana (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learned Helplessness: A Theory for the Age of Personal Control (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book but I have to admit to a prejudice. I am a huge fan of Seligman's books and grab everything I can get my hands on.

This book is well argued and provides compelling evidence of the phenomenom of 'Learned Helpnessness' which can lead to depression, low motivation and poor workplace performance.

The book discusses and interprets experimental research in the area of learned helplessness and translates this into the effects that it has on individual performance, health and social interaction. The book looks at locus of control and self-efficacy and how our feelings that events are occurring outside our control leave us feeling powerless.

It's a great book for anyone making a study of psychology but I wouldn't recommend it for the casual self-help reader. The detail involved is probably excessive unless you are keen on reading all the background and understanding why and how learned helplessness occurs and how to manage or mitigate it.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you feel like a rat in a cage - READ THIS!, April 5, 2008

By 

Glenn Huntington (Palm Springs, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learned Helplessness: A Theory for the Age of Personal Control (Paperback)

My Psychologist suggested I read this book. I was going through a divorce that was not by my choice and feeling trapped, manipulated and depressed. Honestly, I didn't finish reading the whole book. It was too technical for me to stay interested through the last chapters. The several chapters I did read convinced me that I was not trapped by my circumstances and unlike the tested subjects, I was not helpless. It revolutionized my attitide and helped turn my depression around. I have subsequently, bought two other books by the author, "Authentic Happiness" and "Learned Optimism" and give them two enthusiastic thumbs up! Life changing!