Learned Helplessness in Adolescents

Sanju Verma, Manju Gera

Abstract: Pessimism among adolescents is a state of mind in which they tends to think that failure in school is their own fault. They consider the cause of their failure is their own stupidity, lack of talent, shyness and dependence on others which is permanent; therefore they do not bother to change it. As a result of this passivity several psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, phobia, loneliness starts playing negative consequences in the minds of the adolescents and so they learn to be helpless. Learned helplessness is a condition of resignation or give up which reduces adolescents self reliance, motivation, personal performance, social assurance and holds them back from achieving their goals. However it is important here for the parents and teachers that not all children react to failure with learned helplessness or depression. If they consider their child/student is showing the sign of learned helplessness, it is best for them to provide adequate treatment.

Keywords: Adolescents, Depression, Learned Helplessness, Psychological Disorder, Resignation