Since the original learned helplessness experiments, the phenomenon has been applied to several areas of human behavior, including (1) Depression (Seligman, 1975; Seligman, 1976); (2) elderly adults and old-age homes (Langer & Rodin, 1976); (3) domestic violence and abusive relationships; and (4) drug abuse and addiction. Studies have found that a true inability to control the environment is not necessary for learned helplessness to occur. In fact, even when told there is nothing a person can do, he or she is more likely to not try or to try less diligently than those who were not given this advice (Maier & Seligman, 1975). Like in many aspects of human behavior, perception is the key. We have found that those who have experienced depression in the past are more likely to accept depression in their future and therefore less likely to attempt change. The same holds true for individuals in domestic violence situations. Those who have been unable to escape violent situations in their homes are much more likely to refuse help and accept future violence as inescapable. This is true even when presented with real options to avoid future violence. Many also argue that an inability to quit smoking is related, along with obvious chemical qualities, to the person's perception of control. If a person witnesses others try and fail in their attempts to quit, they are less likely to try themselves. For those addicted to other substances, this phenomenon seems to hold true as well. The more you have witnessed failure either in yourself or others, the less likely you are to attempt change, even if the situation changes dramatically.
