A critical review of Seligman's laboratory experiments on learned helplessness and depression in humans.

Abstract

Six laboratory experiments on learned helplessness and depression in humans reported by Seligman and his colleagues were critically reviewed. They were found to provide little or no support for the learned helplessness theory of depression. A number of methodologica l and conceptual problems were discussed. In conclusion, it was suggested that heuristic theories such as Seligman's should be closely examined before psychologists embark on an extensive series of experimental tests. Seligman and his colleagues have conducted a number of laboratory experiments on learned helplessness and depression in humans. The findings have been considered by Seligman to provide support for his learned helplessness theory of depression, and one will usually find the reports of these experiments listed in writings about the theory. I shall attempt to show that the findings of his experiments provide little or no support for his theory. This review will be restricted to the six articles reporting experiments with humans that have been conducted by Seligman and his colleagues.1 It would seem particularly important at this stage to evaluate Seligman's own thinking and work in this area rather than to venture into an evaluation' of work in other laboratories that may be based on a misinterpretation of Seligman's ideas. The present article has been divided into three sections. In the first section, methodological and conceptual problems specific to each experiment will be noted. In the second section, these problems and some additional problems common to all of the studies will be discussed more generally. In the third section, I shall comment on the popularity of the learned helplessness theory. I shall also comment on the importance of scrutinizing the