This is a classic demonstration of learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness is arguably a good heuristic for motivational economy– basically, don’t waste effort on avoiding the inevitable. Unfortunately, it can lead to patterns of self-fulfilling powerlessness, and worse learned helplessness can be deliberately engendered as a means of control. Beware of the stories you tell yourself (and especially others tell you!) about what you can and cannot accomplish, individually and collectively.

#Agency, #Depression, #Motivation, #Psychology