In Seligman's learned helplessness experiments, dogs exposed to inescapable shocks learned to do what when later given the opportunity to avoid shocks?

In Seligman's learned helplessness experiments, dogs exposed to inescapable shocks learned to do what when later given the opportunity to avoid shocks?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Quickly escape
• C. Engage in novel behaviors
• D. Bark and whimper

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is learned helplessness: when an organism experiences events it cannot control, it learns that taking action won’t change the outcome. In Seligman’s dog experiments, after dogs were subjected to inescapable shocks, they later faced a situation where escape was possible but they didn’t act. Their prior experience of uncontrollability led them to become passive and stop trying to avoid the shocks, effectively doing nothing. This contrasts with how one would expect if they believed their actions could help; in that case, they’d try to escape. So the best answer reflects this passive, withdrawn response that arises from learned helplessness.

The key idea here is learned helplessness: when an organism experiences events it cannot control, it learns that taking action won’t change the outcome. In Seligman’s dog experiments, after dogs were subjected to inescapable shocks, they later faced a situation where escape was possible but they didn’t act. Their prior experience of uncontrollability led them to become passive and stop trying to avoid the shocks, effectively doing nothing. This contrasts with how one would expect if they believed their actions could help; in that case, they’d try to escape. So the best answer reflects this passive, withdrawn response that arises from learned helplessness.