Shirley has been in an abusive relationship for 12 years.Her husband frequently hits her, often after little or no provocation.Shirley has been enduring this violence for so long that she has come to believe that she probably deserves the beatings.Her best friend has seen the bruises and has told her to leave her husband, but Shirley believes that leaving would be futile.Shirley could be said to be experiencing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shirley's belief that leaving would be futile and her acceptance of the violence indicate that she has developed learned helplessness, which is a psychological condition that occurs after repeated negative experiences that lead an individual to believe that they have no control over their situation. This can cause the individual to become passive and hopeless, believing that nothing they do will change their circumstances. The blaming the victim phenomenon, anomie, and enduring family violence syndrome are not applicable to Shirley's situation.

Shirley Has Been in an Abusive Relationship for 12 Years