5.10 : 回避学習と学習性無力感

Avoidance learning is a distinct response to negative reinforcement. It occurs when an individual learns that a specific behavior, such as avoiding certain foods, can prevent an unpleasant outcome like an allergic reaction.

Conversely, exposure to unavoidable negative stimuli, such as consistent failures in examinations despite studying hard, can lead to a condition called learned helplessness.

In this state, the student may begin to believe that their efforts make no difference and that they have no control over negative outcomes.

Learned helplessness can persist, leading individuals to stop trying to improve their circumstances.

In humans, learned helplessness can manifest as an inability to avoid or change negative situations. For instance, individuals with depression may feel powerless to improve their circumstances, while victims of domestic violence might believe they cannot escape their abusive environment.

Learned helplessness can explain why some individuals stop attempting to improve their circumstances after repeated failures.