Final answer:
Learned helplessness is a pattern of response in which people give up and fail to take positive action after experiencing repeated failures. It can lead to a sense of helplessness and an increased risk of developing depression. Attribution habits also play a role in learned helplessness and depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Learned helplessness is a pattern of response in which people give up and fail to take positive action after experiencing repeated failures. It was initially demonstrated through experiments conducted by psychologist Martin Seligman, where dogs were exposed to uncontrollable electric shocks. This concept has been applied to humans as well, suggesting that individuals who believe they are unable to control negative life events may become helpless and more prone to developing depression. Attribution habits, such as making internal, global, and stable attributions for negative outcomes, have also been found to contribute to learned helplessness and depression.