Psych 205 1st Edition Lecture 22 Outline of Last Lecture I. Individual differences in gender-role behaviorOutline of Current Lecture II. Learned helplessnessIII. Locus of ControlCurrent LectureIn today’s class, we finished up talking about Aggression and how it is related to video games and the effects aggression has on it. We were introduced to new the new terms; learned helplessness and locus of control. Aggression with Video Games-Even more concern for these than perhaps other forms of media-Player attends and engages in the action, not just watching-Nearly all-violent games reward violence-Effects last for hours to days after play-Long term effects too-More likely to argue and fight, more severe delinquency, more violenceLearned Helplessness-Deficits that follow from a perceived lack of control over important aversive events-Original studies-Seligman-First, escape for some animals not an option-Then, even when it is an option, they do not select itLearned Helplessness in Humans-Are people prone to the same problem?These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.-Ethics in research, use of loud noises instead, significant differences between groups on a second set of problems-Sometimes people learn to be helpless by simply observing other people who are helplessApplication of These Findings-Setup of retirement communities-often provides care and structure in all areas-May actually take control away-Elderly may generalize the perception of uncontrollability to other areas of their lives-Lack of motivation and activity seen in elderly may be a form of highly generalized learned helplessnessTesting this Out-Researchers divided residents of one home into two groups-Group 1- given increased control and responsibility-Group 2- treatment as usual-Differences between groups at follow up noted in happiness scores, activity levels, adjustment, health and rates of deathLearned Helplessness and Psychological Disorders-Observers led psychologists to suggest that depression looks a great deal like someone who acquires learned helplessness-Negative experiences become generalized-Those who experience a lack of control report more depressed feelings-Neurotransmitter serotonin involved in the development of learned helplessness and depressionLearned Helplessness and Depression-Not a straightforward relationship-Learned helplessness is short lived-May be one of many casual factors in depression-Those with depression may continuously re experience the initial learned helplessness event-Rumination is common-Treatment is available and effectiveLocus of Control-To what do you attribute your successes and failures?-Julian Rotter-generalized expectancies-When we don’t know what to expect (new situation or experience), we rely on general beliefs-Internal locus of control-People can affect what happens to them-Good and bad experiences are of peoples own making-External locus of control-People who believe that what happens to them and others is outside of their controlLocus of Control and Well-being-Who is better adjusted? It depends.-Internals may work harder and achieve more-Externals may know their limits and aim for what is reasonableResults of Research-Internals do tend to be happier-People suffering from psychological disorders tend to be more external than internal-External scores associated with higher levels of depression-Also differences in severity and suicidality-Role of learned helplessnessLocus of Control and Well Being: Psychological Disorders-Important limitations of these findings-May externals are happy and well adjusted-Correlational data-Strength of relationship varies by cultureLocus of Control and Well Being: Achievement-Internal students receive higher grades and better teacher evaluations than externals-Evident at all education levels but especially strong in adolescence-Why might this be?-Internal see themselves as being responsible for their achievements-Good at adjusting their expectancies following feedback-Pay attention to information that will help them reach their goals-More ambitious than external students-Also evident in careers-Higher job satisfaction ratings among internals, higher levels of performanceLocus of Control and Well Being: Psychotherapy-Clients tend to become more internal as they move through successful psychotherapy-Response of clients when therapists focus on giving more control over therapy depends on initial locus of control-Internals respond well when given control over their treatment-Externals sometimes do better when treatment remains in the therapist’s handsLocus of Control and Health-Internals are in better health than externals-Locus of control good at predicting who is more likely to experience heart attacks, cancer-Internals show better lifestyle choices-Externals may believe there is little they can do to improve their physical condition or avoid disease-Internals seek out more health information-Remember Rotter’s Formula-Behavioral potential= expectancy+ reinforcement value-Not enough to determine that you have control over your health-It has to be a high value to you as