Predicting when uncontrollability will produce performance deficits: A refinement of the reformulated learned helplessness hypothesis

Discusses the reformulated model of learned helplessness of L. Y. Abramson et al , in which it is posited that an individual's reaction to an uncontrollable event is determined by attributions (internal-external, stable-unstable, global-specific) that he/she makes about that event. However, the present authors maintain that conditions under which uncontrollability induces subsequent performance deficits are inconsistent with existing data. To account for these discrepancies, a performance deficit model is outlined. According to this model an individual's performance following an uncontrollable event is determined by an interaction between the attribution that the S makes for the uncontrollable event and the S's perception of the similarity of the subsequent task situation to the prior uncontrollable experience. Research relevant to the validity of the performance deficit model is reviewed. (21 ref)