Was it supposed to be a grand unifying theory of depression, or describing one sort, Rick?

It started off as a grand unifying theory. Then it turned out not to predict all symptoms of depression very well, and not to describe all kinds of depressed people very well, and in the way of most scientific theories there was a retrenchment and the theorists suggested that it applied to only a small subset of cases. Most people in the field (including me) now see learned helplessness as a particular symptom of depression, not a cause of depression. But the pendulum could swing back.

learned helplessness as a particular symptom of depression, not a cause of depression

Is it used outside of depression? The people I know who do it seem very happy.

Most people in the field (including me) now see learned helplessness as a particular symptom of depression, not a cause of depression. But the pendulum could swing back.

::keeps an eye on pendulum in case it's necessary to duck::

I think -- does it cover the scenario where if something isn't done right the first time, the subject becomes passive aggressively unable to ever do it right, regardless of the complexity?

Yes, it is a theory of depression that says if you have repeated experiences of being unable to escape negative events then you will become passive and will no longer even try to escape them.

I see those as pretty separate things, though - the first example of "learned helplessness" often has (IME) a fair portion of "and then someone else will do it instead." The second - I'd call that learned apathy, I guess.

To me, learned helplessness is what annoying females do so that they can simper and let some big strong man take care of them.

All kinds of ~ma, Stephanie. Peaberry should do what's right and emerge in time to meet her daddy.

learned helplessness is what annoying females do so that they can simper and let some big strong man take care of them

My (unschooled) interpretation of the thing I'm now calling learned helplessness is less calculated than your average simpering chick, and is more like my parents' abject refusal to remember certain things about computers, or even to remember where the instructions are, or the teenager who just can't remember how much soap goes in with the laundry ... in theory, it does work out more easily for them, since there's an expert around who takes it (often impatiently) off their hands, but it's very "Well, she's so good at it!" more than a verbalised "Don't want to!" or "Shouldn't have to!"

Good luck with EVERYTHING, Stephanie!

Have you people seen this website, Post Secret? It's amazing.

Huh. My idea of learned helplessness is that the fifth time I try to push somebody for a review, since I know he never gives reviews, I don't push very hard. If it were a brand-new person, I'd be much more aggressive.

This is why I need a new job. Which I have. So ha.

Is it used outside of depression? The people I know who do it seem very happy.

I think what you're talking about is "ignorance is bliss," ita.

If they don't open the email, they cannot be stressed out by its contents which probably tell them they have to do something.

It's not just your email, but any email that may signify change or ask for an action. I suspect their homes are littered with unopened mail, and they carefully screen calls to filter out any information at all that could interrupt the blissful ignorance.

It's rather brilliant.