Teachers that aren’t even aware of the fact, that they are teaching their students how to never succeed in life.

You can make a mistake but if your teacher says that you are stupid, or if he makes a negative comment about your art-work, or if he makes you aware of how unhappy he is with your results, then he is subtly teaching you how to never succeed in life. It is called „learned helplessness.“

Charisse Nixon has made this classroom experiment, where she shows to the students, how failure and feelings of „frustration“ and „not fitting in“, or „feelings of being stupid“ will affect your future results. Watch this 6 min. video about this experiment right here.

Learned Helplessness is a psychological phenomenon first identified by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the late 1960s. It describes a condition in which individuals come to believe they have no control over the outcomes of their actions, typically after experiencing repeated failure or adversity. This belief can lead to a lack of motivation, diminished problem-solving abilities, and even depression.

Key Concepts of Learned Helplessness:

1. Conditioning and Experience: In Seligman and Maier’s original experiments with dogs, the animals were subjected to a series of shocks they could not escape. After experiencing this uncontrollable situation, they later showed a lack of attempt to escape similar shocks, even when escape was possible. This demonstrated how previous experiences of helplessness can generalize to new situations.
2. Generalization to Humans: The concept was later applied to humans, where it was found that individuals who experience failure in one area may apply that belief of helplessness to other areas of their lives. This can manifest in academic settings, relationships, and mental health issues.
3. Impact on Mental Health: Learned helplessness has been linked to various mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. It highlights the importance of perceived control and self-efficacy in psychological well-being.

Charisse Nixon, Ph.D.

Charisse Nixon, Ph.D., is a professor at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and her work includes research related to adolescent development, mental health, and resilience. While specific details about her research on learned helplessness might not be extensively documented in public forums, her expertise likely intersects with this concept, especially in the context of youth psychology and educational settings.

Application of Learned Helplessness in Education:

Dr. Nixon’s work often focuses on how students’ beliefs about their abilities can influence their motivation and academic performance. By understanding learned helplessness, educators can develop strategies to foster resilience and a growth mindset in students, helping them to overcome setbacks and cultivate a sense of agency.

Importance of Addressing Learned Helplessness:

1. Interventions: Recognizing the signs of learned helplessness in students can help educators and mental health professionals design interventions that promote a sense of control and capability.
2. Building Resilience: By fostering resilience through positive reinforcement and encouraging problem-solving, individuals can learn to break free from the cycle of helplessness.

For more information about Dr. Charisse Nixon’s work, you may refer to Penn State Behrend’s faculty page or other academic publications she may have authored, which could provide further insights into her research interests and contributions to the field. You can visit the Penn State Behrend website for more details on her background and research.