Final answer:
In laboratory situations, helplessness can be reversed by arranging successful experiences, forcibly moving subjects to safety, and by fostering feelings of control. The concept of learned helplessness was developed by Martin Seligman and has implications for understanding and treating human depression. Overcoming this condition involves changing attributions and creating a sense of control over outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In laboratory situations and elsewhere, helplessness can be reversed by procedures that: (a) arrange successful experiences, (b) involve forcibly "dragging" subjects into the "safe" compartment, and (c) produce feelings of control over the environment. However, it's important to emphasize that ethical considerations are paramount, as the application of learned helplessness must never include abuse or torture. Moreover, the use of these procedures should aim to foster a positive sense of control and efficacy.
Learned helplessness is a psychological condition described by Martin Seligman where individuals or animals, after experiencing a situation in which they had no control over negative stimuli, later fail to act in new situations where they do have control. The original experiments by Seligman with dogs demonstrated this concept starkly, where previously shocked dogs who could not escape later did not try to avoid shocks even when they could. Seligman's research is relevant to understanding human depression and the development of more empowering interventions.
Overcoming learned helplessness involves changing attributions and fostering an individual's belief in their ability to effect change in their environment. The goal is to create an internal locus of control where individuals feel capable of shaping their destinies, countering the passivity and resignation inherent in learned helplessness.