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The origin of learned helplessness｜when the brain conditions itself for failure

  • by Loriane

In the practice of massage, understanding the psychological mechanisms that influence our customers’ well-being is essential. Among these mechanisms, the theory of learned helplessness, developed by psychologist Martin Seligman in the 1960s, plays a crucial role in how a person perceives themselves when faced with challenges. Whether managing day-to-day life or emotions, learned helplessness can be a major obstacle. This article explores this concept and how it can be brought to light in the context of therapeutic massage.

Contents
The Elephant and the rope
Acquired helplessness and its consequences
Overcoming acquired helplessness
The complementary role of massage: breaking down mental barriers
Conclusion

The Elephant and the Rope

The theory of learned helplessness explains how an individual, after suffering multiple failures or uncontrollable situations, comes to believe that he or she is helpless and incapable of changing the situation. Let’s take an ancient and surprising but highly enlightening example. Over 3,000 years ago, elephant owners in Asia used relatively weak bronze ropes to tie up their animals. This metal was not strong enough to hold a full-grown elephant, but mahouts found a surprisingly effective method of “taming” the animal. When an elephant was still a baby, it was tied with a cord that it was unable to break. After several unsuccessful attempts to break free, the baby elephant would give up. He had learned that no matter what he did, he couldn’t break free. This mental conditioning was so powerful that, as an adult, the six-ton elephant, capable of breaking a rope in a fraction of a second, still believed himself to be trapped in the same cord.

This example perfectly illustrates the concept of learned helplessness. A living being, through repeated failures, comes to internalize the idea that the effort is useless, even though, deep down, it has all the means at its disposal to overcome the situation.

Acquired helplessness and its consequences

This mechanism, although developed from animal studies (Overmier, 1967), has obvious implications for humans. Replicated by Nixon with students faced with impossible problems (2007), she has shown that there are direct consequences in humans:

  • Difficulty making the link between actions and consequences: “it’s impossible, there’s no point acting, it’s just the way it is”.
  • Demotivation: “Why try when there’s no point?”
  • Depression and frustration leading to low self-esteem

Indeed, many people, faced with repeated failures or situations they deem impossible to change, develop this feeling of powerlessness. It’s important to note that this “powerlessness” is not an objective reality, but rather a deeply held belief. This phenomenon can affect different aspects of life: in interpersonal relationships, at work, or in the management of physical and mental health.

Overcoming acquired helplessness

Here are some steps you can take to overcome learned helplessness and regain a sense of control:

  1. Recognize negative thoughts and behaviors: Identify limiting thoughts and avoidance behaviors that fuel feelings of helplessness (for example, thinking “I’ll never make it”).
  2. Change your perspective: Replace the idea that failures are definitive with the conviction that every mistake is a learning opportunity, enabling you to improve.
  3. Identify obstacles: Identify external obstacles (such as stressful situations) and internal obstacles (such as limiting beliefs) that hinder your actions.
  4. Seek practical solutions: Develop new skills, ask for support or set more realistic goals to overcome obstacles.
  5. Take concrete action: Put in place achievable actions (e.g. applying for another job, practicing stress management exercises) to regain confidence in your abilities.
  6. Seek professional or personal support: Consider cognitive-behavioral therapies or participate in personal development programs to strengthen your resilience.

These steps help rebuild confidence and better manage life’s challenges.

The complementary role of massage: breaking down mental barriers

Therapeutic massage, in this context, can play an important role. Indeed, massage can offer people a moment of listening, relaxation and reconnection with their bodies, enabling them to regain a sense of control over their environment and well-being. It can be a first step towards a change of perspective, helping individuals to become aware of their potential, release accumulated tensions and begin a healing process.

Conclusion

Learned helplessness is a powerful psychological phenomenon that can limit an individual’s ability to change his or her situation. By understanding this concept, massage therapists can better apprehend the difficulties facing their clients and offer them more appropriate support. Massage, as a holistic practice, can be a gateway to breaking mental chains and helping individuals to free themselves from their limiting beliefs, just as the elephant could break its rope if it hadn’t been conditioned to believe that it was incapable of doing so.

To remember:

  • Learned helplessness is a deep-seated belief that arises after repeated failures, leading an individual to believe that their actions have no impact, even when they could in fact overcome their difficulties.
  • It leads to demotivation, low self-esteem and avoidance behavior.
  • Identifying limiting thoughts, changing perspective, recognizing obstacles, seeking practical solutions and receiving support are key steps to regaining self-confidence and a sense of control.

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