In an experiment, two groups of dogs are given shocks to their feet. One group is able to escape the shocks by jumping over a barrier. The second group is harnessed and cannot escape. After several trials, both groups are put in situations where they CAN escape. The first group escapes the shocks but the second group just sits and whines, refusing to attempt to escape. The response of the second group is due to ______.
A) learned helplessness
B) contingency blocking
C) latent learning
D) response generalization

Question

In an experiment, two groups of dogs are given shocks to their feet. One group is able to escape the shocks by jumping over a barrier. The second group is harnessed and cannot escape. After several trials, both groups are put in situations where they CAN escape. The first group escapes the shocks but the second group just sits and whines, refusing to attempt to escape. The response of the second group is due to ______.
A) learned helplessness 
B) contingency blocking
C) latent learning 
D) response generalization

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The response of the second group, refusing to attempt to escape even though they can, is a classic example of learned helplessness. This occurs when an individual learns that they have no control over a situation, and thus give up trying. The second group in the experiment learned that they could not escape the shocks, so they gave up trying even when they were able to escape.

In an Experiment, Two Groups of Dogs Are Given Shocks