Why some people surrender to adversity while others find a way out

Space · Published 27 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the late 1960s, a series of experiments on classical conditioning revealed a startling psychological phenomenon: subjects could become paralyzed by their own experiences. This discovery laid the groundwork for understanding why some individuals succumb to helplessness while others maintain the agency to persevere.

Martin Seligman's research into 'learned helplessness' began at the University of Pennsylvania during the late 1960s and early 1970s. While conducting experiments on classical conditioning, Seligman inadvertently discovered that dogs subjected to unavoidable electric shocks eventually stopped trying to escape. Even when later placed in situations where escape or avoidance was possible, these dogs remained passive, failing to take action because they had 'learned' that their behavior had no impact on their circumstances. The research was conducted by Seligman while he served as a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. These findings emerged during his early career in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

This foundational work shifted the focus of psychology toward understanding the mechanisms of resilience and depression. Seligman transitioned from studying how helplessness is acquired to exploring how human agency can be cultivated. His later work in positive psychology emphasizes that progress—both personal and societal—is driven by specific psychological traits: efficacy, optimism, and imagination. The University of Pennsylvania employs Seligman as its Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology. He also leads the Penn Positive Psychology Center, where his work focuses on well-being and resilience.

The shift represents a move from a deficit-based model of the mind to one centered on human potential. By identifying the components of agency, Seligman provides a framework for how individuals can overcome learned passivity. His research suggests that understanding the history of these psychological states is essential for fostering well-being and driving human progress. His recent psychological history explores how these specific traits drive human progress across time. This research aims to help people engage with diverse ways of thinking about existence and sentience.

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