Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness has been mentioned in my previous psychology classes, but my professor at MSU painted a much more vivid picture of the research that brought about this concept. It was unnerving to think about animals being trapped in a situation to the extent that they could no longer recognize an escape, when it became available. At the same time, it stimulated my thinking about all the ways in which we, as people, fall into this same misconception. It can be easy to imagine how a child in an abusive home might not recognize that the situation is escapable. This could ultimately lead to an adult who unknowingly seeks out relationships with partners who fill the role of the abuser. Even those without a history of child abuse can find themselves in relationships …show more content…
I have individually mentored women, and had opportunities to hear their processes. I then began teaching a weekly employment skills class to an entire women’s module. Initially, the main focus was career goals. What I found was that most of the women were resigned to having no future, other than a life behind bars. Many of them expressed feeling helpless in their situations, giving all the power to other people. Whether it was their partner, family, or probation officer, they were convinced that there was no escape. I decided to change the focus of the class to writing letters of explanation for resumes and practicing interviews. Through analyzing their own unique circumstances, they began to envision a different future. I witnessed women becoming empowered by claiming accountability for their mistakes, and they began to see new options.
The theory of learned helplessness has shaped how I work with these women and how I look at my own life choices. I see how easy it is put ourselves in a box, and forget how to open it. I have been locked in my own box at times, and I believe that we all have the ability to find our way