Katherine was presented with a difficult puzzle to solve that was, in fact, unsolvable. When she was later given a very simple puzzle, she was unable to solve it. This is an example in support of which theory of depression?
A)Psychoanalytic
B)Interpersonal
C)Beck's cognitive
D)Learned helplessness

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This example supports the learned helplessness theory of depression, which suggests that individuals who have experienced previous uncontrollable negative events will develop a belief that they are unable to control their environment, even in situations where control is possible. In this case, Katherine's inability to solve the unsolvable puzzle created a sense of helplessness which then transferred to the simple puzzle, leading to her inability to solve it as well.

Katherine Was Presented with a Difficult Puzzle to Solve That