Abstract
Self-reinforcement, one element of the self-control model of depression proposed by Rehm, was evaluated as to its relationship with Seligman's learned helplessness phenomenon. Within a nonclinical population, subjects were divided by their Beck Depression Inventory scores into a Non-depressed group and a Very Mildly Depressed group. Subjects in each group were exposed to one of three treatments, Learned Helplessness, Nonlearned Helplessness, and Control conditions based upon the Levine multidimensional discrimination task. Depressed subjects gave significantly more self-punishment and less self-reward than nondepressed subjects after exposure to the experimental conditions. A significant interaction of depressed X treatment condition and post hoc analyses suggest an explanation for the previously noted facilitation effects of learned helplessness and suggest a self-control inoculation against increased depression when normals are exposed to conditions of learned helplessness. Effects of the learned-helplessness experience are related to the self-control model of depression.
Published Version
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