Learned Helplessness at Work

Abstract

The development of theory and research on learned helplessness is reviewed and criticized on some points, e.g., for its reliance on artificial laboratory experiments. Some empirical findings are presented, indicating a connection between certain work characteristics and learned helplessness. Other research traditions have emphasized the importance of job qualifications, freedom of action, and development possibilities for well-being and health. There is, however, hardly any research on learned helplessness at work. Learned helplessness hypotheses should be tested on data from real life; if applied to work environment research, the theory of learned helplessness could generate important results.