Learned Optimism

The accessible version of Seligman's learned-helplessness research. The core idea is explanatory style: when setbacks get explained as permanent, pervasive, and personal, effort stops feeling worth spending and the domain gets written off. His point is that the style is learned, which means it can be disputed and rebuilt. That is the mechanism underneath Chapter 1's argument that agency erodes inside a specific domain and can be reinstalled there.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.