Learned Helplessness

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View books by Christopher Peterson, Steven F. Maier, Martin E.P. Seligman.

A fascinating read for students of psychology - Rated
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.