Final answer:
The fallacy of helplessness is a belief that success or failure is determined by external factors beyond one's control and is related to the psychological concept of learned helplessness. This concept was demonstrated by Martin Seligman's experiments with dogs and is also seen in human behaviors related to the onset of depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fallacy of helplessness suggests that success or failure in various aspects of life is determined by external factors beyond your control.
This concept is part of a psychological principle known as learned helplessness, which was first demonstrated in experiments by psychologist Martin Seligman in the 1960s. Dogs subjected to uncontrollable shocks later exhibited a lack of effort to escape, even when it became possible. This learned behavior closely resembles the responses seen in humans who feel that they have no control over the negative events in their lives, leading to a state that can contribute to depression.
Learned helplessness theory was further developed to include the notion of attributions, or reasons individuals attribute to their successes or failures. If these attributions consistently point to external causes, individuals may develop a sense of powerlessness that affects their ability to take action in future scenarios, even when they do have control.
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