“Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn't matter.”-Arnold Schwarzenegger

"A much more pernicious loss of choice and control is brought about by repeated failure. After a number of experiences in which our efforts are futile, many of us will give up." -Ellen Langer

Applying Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is commonly applied to circus animals. Particularly, elephants are a great example of application of learned helplessness.



When they are little, elephants are tied with a chain in order for them to remain steady. This is done in circuses because elephants learn to remain calm over time. This is an example of learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness can develop in people with deseases. AIDS is a common case of learned helplessness. Indeed, it is a disease that cannot be cured, however, it can be treated in order for people to live with it. Many people infected with AIDS loose their will to live and find themselves incapable of learning to live with it.