Jacob and Matt both flunk their math test. Jacob says to his friends that there is no point in his continuing in the course because, although Jacob feels highly about himself, he suspects that the teacher just doesn't like him. Matt says he is going to drop the course because he is just stupid in math. According to the reformulated learned helplessness theory, ________
A) Matt is more likely to become depressed than Jacob.
B) Matt is more likely to feel helpless than Jacob.
C) Jacob is more likely to become depressed than Matt.
D) Jacob is more likely to feel helpless than Matt.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reformulated learned helplessness theory suggests that individuals who attribute their failures to internal, stable, and global factors (like Matt attributing his failure to his own lack of intelligence in math, which he perceives as a stable and global trait) are more likely to experience depression. Jacob, on the other hand, attributes his failure to an external factor (the teacher's dislike for him), which is less likely to lead to depression according to this theory.

Jacob and Matt Both Flunk Their Math Test