What does "learned helplessness" refer to?

"Learned helplessness" is a psychological concept that refers to a condition in which individuals come to believe they have no control over the outcomes of events in their lives, often due to repeated failures or lack of success despite their efforts. This belief emerges from experiencing situations where one has no power to alter the outcome, leading to a generalized expectation that their actions will not make any difference in future scenarios.

As a result, these individuals may stop trying to achieve their goals or solve problems, as they anticipate failure regardless of their efforts. This phenomenon can often be seen in various contexts, such as in education, mental health, and behavior patterns. By recognizing this concept, peer counselors can better understand how to support individuals who may feel trapped in a cycle of helplessness and encourage them to regain a sense of agency and control over their situations.

The other choices reflect concepts that do not align with the definition of learned helplessness. For instance, belief in control is the opposite of learned helplessness, and an attitude of persistent optimism is contrary to the feelings of defeat and resignation associated with this condition. Similarly, a refusal to engage with support does not capture the essence of learned helplessness, which is more about an internal belief in failure rather than actively rejecting