Research has shown that learned-helpless children, who make attributions for failure to lack of ability, tend to show impaired performance of decreased persistence in the face of challenge. In similar situations, mastery-oriented children, identified by their tendency to attribute failure to insufficient effort, show improved performance or…

There is considerable debate regarding the effects of childhood sexual abuse on an individual's subsequent adjustment. To determine which variables are most useful in predicting subsequent adjustment of individuals who were involved in sexual experiences as children or adolescents, 59 female and 17 male undergraduates who reported having had a…

Learned helplessness is a variable which has commonly been considered in research on sex-related differences in mathematics achievement. In this study, learned helplessness has been defined in terms of a debilitating or facilitating response resulting from failure on mathematical word problems. The construct has been called Performance Following…

An analysis of three issues concerning the possibility that sex differences in causal attributional patterns may be important mediators of sex differences in persistence in one's mathematics education are addressed. These issues include: (1) the exact nature of the sex differences in attributional patterns for school achievement and the…

Two studies examined the cognitive-motivational differences between helpless and mastery-oriented children by analyzing the effects of failure feedback on problem solving strategies during testing and identifying semantic differences in children's verbalizations following failure on task. Subjects were fifth graders of both sexes. (CM)

Six laboratory experiments on learned helplessness and depression in humans reported by Seligman and his colleagues were critically reviewed. A number of methodological and conceptual problems were discussed. Suggests that it is important for psychologists to scrutinize psychological theories in order to assess their conceptual clarity and…

The effects of recalling past successes on the deficits in learned helplessness and depression were examined and, for learned helplessness, compared with those of real success. Results suggest real success does not have its therapeutic effects by modifying attributions for failure toward external factors. (Editor)

Explored the relation between childhood sexual victimization experience and adult functioning. Victimized women differed from nonvictims on: (a) childhood family and social experiences; (b) adult attributional style; and (c) level of depression, psychological distress, self-esteem, and sexual problems. Suggests that the sexually victimized women's…

The range of problems associated with learned helplessness in mathematics is introduced through three hypothetical case studies. Then the basic theory of, the evidence for, and variables affecting learned helplessness are described. Issues of cure and prevention are discussed, and some suggestions are offered for teachers. (MNS)

Two experiments investigated the relationship between the magnitude of motivation for control over the environment and tendency to derogate victims. Manipulated situational controllability and uncontrollability within a learned helplessness procedure and assessed derogation of a victimized stranger. Results indicated that motivation and need for…

The Total Environment Approach was developed to deal with possible constraints in three areas of the environment which limit the older individual's ability to choose leisure activities. The three areas are: the physical environment, the psychological environment, and the social environment. (JN)

The application of learned helplessness theory to achievement is discussed within the context of implications for research in learning disabilities. Finally, the similarities between helpless children and learning disabled students in terms of problems solving and attention are discussed. (Author)

Twenty-eight learned helpless children (ages 9-13) assessed as reading below grade level were randomly assigned to one of four reinforcement and attribution retaining treatments. Indirect and direct attribution retaining increased childrens' reading persistence and their attribution of failure on the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility scale…

Investigates the effects of a helplessness experience on the subsequent performance of deaf adolescents functioning at mildly underachieving or severely underachieving levels. Results indicate high post-test error scores among severely underachieving deaf adolescents experiencing an unsolvable pretreatment situation. Recommendations offer…

Proposes a model that assumes the relationships among unemployment and expectation of success, commitment to work, motivation, causal attributions, self-esteem, and depression are moderated by first-time job-seeking and age. Results show that, for first-job seekers, the relationships among these variables is consistent with expectancy-value…