The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health worldwide, and one of the consequences has been the spread of learned helplessness. The pandemic forced people to adapt to new and challenging circumstances, such as social isolation, remote work, and economic uncertainty. Many individuals found themselves overwhelmed by the sudden changes, and their feelings of helplessness increased.
The pandemic’s restrictions and isolation may have reinforced the belief that people have no control over their environment, leading to learned helplessness. For example, lockdowns and social distancing measures have made people feel trapped and powerless, leading to a sense of resignation and acceptance of their situation. Additionally, the economic fallout from the pandemic may have contributed to the belief that people cannot improve their financial situation, leading to learned helplessness.
The pandemic’s impact on mental health and the spread of learned helplessness highlights the importance of addressing mental health during times of crisis. Providing mental health resources and support can help individuals overcome feelings of helplessness and develop a sense of control over their circumstances. By taking steps towards positive change and building a sense of self-efficacy, individuals can break free from the cycle of learned helplessness and take control of their lives.
What Is Learned Helplessness?
Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which an individual feels unable to control their environment, even when they have the power to do so. The concept of learned helplessness was first introduced by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in 1967 when they conducted a study on dogs.
In their study, Seligman and Maier placed dogs in cages and subjected them to electric shocks that could be avoided by jumping over a low wall. However, some of the dogs had previously been exposed to uncontrollable shocks, and they showed a sense of resignation and didn’t even attempt to jump over the wall to avoid the shocks. These dogs had learned to be helpless.
The same concept of learned helplessness can be implemented on a mass scale, for example, in situations where people feel powerless to change their circumstances, even though they may have the ability to do so. This can be seen in cases of poverty, where people may feel that they are stuck in their current situation and can’t improve their lives. It can also be seen in cases of domestic abuse, where victims may feel trapped in their situation and powerless to escape.
In the case of poverty, people may have internalized the belief that they are unable to improve their situation, even when there may be opportunities available to them. For example, they may not pursue education or job opportunities because they feel that they are not capable of succeeding.
Similarly, victims of domestic abuse may feel trapped in their situation, even when they have the ability to leave. This can be due to fear of retaliation from the abuser or a belief that they are unable to survive on their own.
How Vulnerability to Exploitation Impacts Individuals and Society
People who are under learned helplessness can be vulnerable to exploitation by those in power. Since they believe that they have no control over their environment and are unable to change their circumstances, they may be more likely to accept their situation and not challenge those in power.
For example, in political systems where citizens feel helpless and unable to effect change, those in power can take advantage of this and suppress dissent or opposition. Citizens may not speak out against injustices or demand accountability because they believe that their actions will not make a difference.
This can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability in government. Similarly, in workplaces where employees feel powerless and unable to advocate for themselves, those in positions of power can take advantage of this and exploit their employees. For example, they may engage in discriminatory practices or fail to provide adequate compensation and benefits. In both cases, the sense of learned helplessness can make it difficult for individuals to recognize and challenge injustices.
It may take outside intervention or support for individuals to overcome their feelings of helplessness and take action towards positive change. This is why it’s important for individuals to build a sense of self-efficacy and challenge negative beliefs, as well as for institutions to provide support and resources to empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others.
Pandemic Manipulations
During the pandemic, there were several guidelines that were initially believed to be effective but later proved to be false. One such example was the belief that masks would stop transmission of the virus, but shutting down schools, businesses, and people’s ability to shop, proved that none of this had an effect on transmission. This led some individuals to question the need for wearing masks, especially if they believed they were not personally at risk of contracting the virus.
Another false belief was that the primary reason to get vaccinated was to protect others from transmission. The media passed it up as our duty to get vaccinated because we were keeping peoples grandparents safe. This belief led some individuals to getting vaccinated, who would not have in the first place, and having major adverse effects.
We are supposed to believe that the pharmacudical companies begging for 75 years to release the information about the vaccines is due to what? For Pattents? Many people have expressed frustration and concern over the delay in releasing the data. Some believe that the FDA should prioritize transparency and public access to information over protecting the interests of pharmaceutical companies. Others argue that the delay is necessary to protect intellectual property and prevent competitors from gaining an unfair advantage.
Whenever anything happens, if the information is being suppressed, we will have a population that will be in a state of helplessness. There are so many examples of lies and manipulation used to implement policy around the wold due to this pandemic of lies. We need to do something to change the trajectory we have been put on due to this virus.
Overcoming The Pressure
Overcoming learned helplessness requires a shift in mindset and behavior. It involves challenging negative beliefs and taking steps towards positive change.
One way to overcome learned helplessness is through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors. In the case of learned helplessness, CBT can help individuals challenge negative beliefs and develop a more positive outlook on their abilities and circumstances.
Another way to overcome learned helplessness is through developing a sense of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to succeed in a particular situation. By developing a sense of self-efficacy, individuals can begin to believe that they have the power to control their environment.
This can be done through setting and achieving small goals. By setting achievable goals, individuals can experience success and build confidence in their abilities. This can then lead to setting larger goals and taking steps towards positive change.
In the case of poverty, individuals can begin to develop a sense of self-efficacy by pursuing education or job opportunities, even if they feel that they are not capable of succeeding. By taking action and experiencing success, they can build confidence in their abilities and begin to see themselves as capable of achieving their goals.
Similarly, victims of domestic abuse can begin to develop a sense of self-efficacy by seeking support from friends, family, or professionals. By taking action and seeking help, they can begin to see themselves as capable of escaping their situation and building a better life for themselves.
Learned helplessness can be implemented on a mass scale in situations where people feel powerless to change their circumstances. Overcoming learned helplessness requires a shift in mindset and behavior, which can be achieved through cognitive-behavioral therapy and developing a sense of self-efficacy. By challenging negative beliefs and taking steps towards positive change, individuals can break free from the cycle of learned helplessness and take control of their lives.
If you are awake you have a duty to your fellow man.
where do we go from here…
