Southern New Hampshire University
PSY 560
Milestone One: Background
, a) Provide a list of key points on the historical overview of your selected theorist. List some
additional information related to biographical information and historical events that
influenced the theorist.
i) The theorist I chose was Martin Seligman and learned helplessness.
ii) A few key points of learned helplessness is that Seligman conducted a study in 1967
with dogs and he would administer shocks to them. The learned helplessness theory
states that when events are uncontrollable the organism learns that its behaviors and
outcomes are independent and that this learning produces the motivational, cognitive,
and emotional effects on uncontrollability.
b) List key points of the historical development of the theory based on the context of the
theorist who you have researched so far in the course. Note any relevant research for
quick reference. List the major key points about how your chosen theory compares with
the prevailing theory/theories in practice during this time period. How does the theory
relate to the work of earlier theorists?
i) Another prevailing theory in practice during this time period was one that was created
by Martin Seligman which was that of positive psychology. Positive psychology
emphasizes the positive influences in a person’s life. This theory relates to learned
helplessness because it is the opposite of positive psychology, which focuses more on
the positive. Learned helplessness focuses more on a depressed individual.
c) Organize a list of the key concepts of your chosen theory as conceived by the theorist.
Reference any supporting research for quick retrieval.
i) In the experiments, there were a few different conditions. A dog is placed in a shuttle
box and is then shocked causing the dog to run around frantically; the dog
PSY 560
Milestone One: Background
, a) Provide a list of key points on the historical overview of your selected theorist. List some
additional information related to biographical information and historical events that
influenced the theorist.
i) The theorist I chose was Martin Seligman and learned helplessness.
ii) A few key points of learned helplessness is that Seligman conducted a study in 1967
with dogs and he would administer shocks to them. The learned helplessness theory
states that when events are uncontrollable the organism learns that its behaviors and
outcomes are independent and that this learning produces the motivational, cognitive,
and emotional effects on uncontrollability.
b) List key points of the historical development of the theory based on the context of the
theorist who you have researched so far in the course. Note any relevant research for
quick reference. List the major key points about how your chosen theory compares with
the prevailing theory/theories in practice during this time period. How does the theory
relate to the work of earlier theorists?
i) Another prevailing theory in practice during this time period was one that was created
by Martin Seligman which was that of positive psychology. Positive psychology
emphasizes the positive influences in a person’s life. This theory relates to learned
helplessness because it is the opposite of positive psychology, which focuses more on
the positive. Learned helplessness focuses more on a depressed individual.
c) Organize a list of the key concepts of your chosen theory as conceived by the theorist.
Reference any supporting research for quick retrieval.
i) In the experiments, there were a few different conditions. A dog is placed in a shuttle
box and is then shocked causing the dog to run around frantically; the dog
