One of the most important psychological concepts in recent years is that of "learned hopelessness", which is a state of loss of motivation, of the hope of achieving dreams, a renunciation of any possibility that things will turn out well, are resolved or improved. How to avoid and overcome such damaging emotion? Keep reading.
Human life, depending on how it is lived, and on our way of relating to the world, can be a succession of beautiful, nutritious and meaningful experiences that allow us to achieve fullness and peace. It is also possible, however, that these experiences are frustrating, painful, and discouraging.
Whether it is one way or another depends on various causes that can be biological, psychological or cultural. Innate genetic predispositions can degenerate into limitations of physical or mental functional capacity; Social or political aspects can cause us to be involved in great shortages of resources necessary to survive or in wars that reduce the quality of life to a minimum.
Here, however, reference will be made to a third factor, the psychological, as the main causal agent for the reduction of success and happiness. In particular, reference will be made to a category, concept or psychological construct that is called: “learned hopelessness”.
In general terms, hopelessness is considered a regret, a disease, a curse of great limiting power. The philosopher Nietzsche, considered it "the disease of the modern soul." It can be said that it is a state in which love, trust, enthusiasm, joy and faith are weakened or extinguished. It is a kind of frustration and helplessness, in which it is often thought that it is not possible by any means to achieve a goal, or to remedy a situation that is considered negative. It is a way of considering yourself at the same time: trapped, burdened and helpless.
Hopelessness is neither disappointment nor despair. Disappointment is the perception of a disappointed expectation, despair is the loss of patience and peace, an anxious, distressing state that makes the future a frightening possibility. Hopelessness, for its part, is the perception of an impossibility of achievement, the idea that there is nothing to do, not now, not ever, which raises forced resignation and the abandonment of ambition and dreams. And it is precisely that absolutist sense, which makes it appear as a harmful and nefarious state.
Martin Seligman, creator of a psychological current known as "Positive Psychology", studied this topic in depth, and together with a prominent collaborator, Steven Maier, they subjected a group of dogs to an experiment in which they were applied electric shocks, unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Among their conclusions, they reported that the animals were prevented from predicting or controlling the painful stimulus, so they lost their motivation and looked discouraged, slow and clumsy to act and limited to learn new behaviors.
Today we know that in politics and war strategies are used to generate in dissidents, opponents and / or enemies, strategies of this type to demoralize them and avoid initiatives resistant to abuses of power.
To overcome learned Hopelessness, it is necessary:
- Understand that it is a perception and not a reality. Assume that everything happens and that each day is new, and is full of possibilities and potential. Find creative ways to approach the situation valued as a threat. Lean on people who have other resources that you do not have. Reevaluate or reconceptualize the situation in search of positive angles. Accept, adapt and wait for a better time to act, if you consider that really nothing can be changed here and now. Focus on resources, gifts and talents, rather than focusing on the problem or its possible negative consequences. Search your experience for behaviors that have helped you overcome similar situations. Segment the action. Don't get tangled up. Define a strategy and take it one step at a time to get out of the rut.
The most important thing here is that you understand that the vast majority of the time, except in extreme cases of natural catastrophes or unexpected critical events, what we see as a “problem” is actually a mental idea that is generated when we evaluate a situation by reason. of our chances of solving it. It is not something that is "out there", and over which we have no influence. Reflect on this, take precautions and live to the best of your ability. Thanks for reading me. www.laexcelencia.com.
