A researcher places dogs in a cage with metal bars on the floor. The dogs are randomly given electric shocks and can do nothing to prevent them or stop them. Later, the same dogs are placed in a cage where they can escape the shocks by jumping over a low hurdle. When the shocks are given, the dogs do not even try to escape. They just sit and cower. This is an example of ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of learned helplessness, where the dogs have learned that they cannot control or prevent the negative stimuli (electric shocks) and become passive and resigned even when presented with opportunities to escape it.

A Researcher Places Dogs in a Cage with Metal Bars