Practice question · True or false
A person showing learned helplessness will typically start acting the moment escape becomes possible, since the barrier that trapped them is now gone.
Hints
- Recall what Seligman's dogs did once escape became easy.
- The obstacle is now a learned EXPECTATION, not the external barrier.
Show the answer
False
Why
False. The hallmark of learned helplessness is that passivity persists even when escape becomes possible, because the barrier is now an internalized expectation of uncontrollability. Seligman's dogs kept enduring easily escapable shocks - the very point of the finding.
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