Learned Helplessness

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the characteristics of learned helplessness as including behavioral and motivational passivity, giving up and procrastination. The paper indicates that this behavior is usually due to fear of pain or lack of perceived ability. The author points out that, when learned helplessness is a factor, the assessment and results may be skewed due to a lack of effort because the client may not have given his or her best. The paper states that society encourages learned helplessness because people are expected to help elderly and disabled individuals instead of allow them to be more independent by having them try things on their own.

From the Paper:

"Arthritis is a rheumatic disease that can be physically disabling because of inflammation of the joints that does not subside and damages healthy tissues; this generates more inflammation and more damage, causing a continuous pain cycle. Movements then become difficult and painful when the damage being done changes the shape of bones and other tissues surrounding joints. When assessing a client with arthritis, it is understandable how the concept of learned helplessness can be evident."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harris, M.M. (2005). "Degenerative disease" Health and wellness: Illness among Americans. Informationplus reference series. Retrieved March 19, 2007, from http://galenet.galegroup.com:york.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/servlet/OVRC
• McKean, K.J. (1994). Using multiple risk factors to assess the behavioral, cognitive and affective effects of learned helplessness. The journal of psychology, 128(2), 177-183.
• O'Neil, R.M. & Bornstein, R.F. (2001). The dependent patient in a psychiatric inpatient setting:

More papers on Learned Helplessness:

• Article Review # 127818 : "On Learned Helplessness"
• Case Study # 125606 : "Learned Helplessness"
• Essay # 86560 : "Learned Helplessness"

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