A woman who was frequently but unpredictably beaten by her husband was finally taken to a shelter by the police. While there, she did not take advantage of educational and job training opportunities. How would cognitive theorists explain her behavior?
A) automatic negative thoughts
B) faulty cognitive triad
C) learned helplessness
D) arbitrary attribution

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive theorists would explain her behavior as a result of learned helplessness. She may have come to believe that she is incapable of changing her circumstances and therefore does not see the point in taking advantage of educational and job training opportunities. This is a common outcome of long-term exposure to uncontrollable and negative situations, such as domestic violence.

A Woman Who Was Frequently but Unpredictably Beaten by Her