Learned Helplessness: The Hidden Barrier to Escaping Poverty

James Whitford
Founder & CEO
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What Is Learned Helplessness?

As unlikely as it seems, some cultures have learned they can confine a full-sized elephant with a small rope. How is that possible?

It turns out that when an elephant is an infant, the rope is strong enough to keep it in place. After enough failed attempts to escape, it learns that when the rope is present, freedom is impossible  — and that “lesson” persists into adulthood.

In a similar vein, in 1967 American psychologist and educator Martin Seligman coined the phrase “learned helplessness” after conducting a research project in which he put dogs in boxes with a shock pad. Each box contained a lever, some of which stopped the shock when depressed. In others, the levers did nothing.

The dogs in boxes with working levers learned very quickly how to stop the shock. Obviously, the other dogs could do nothing. Next, Seligman took them out and put them on a shock pad surrounded by a small lip, making escape very easy. Yet the dogs who’d been in boxes with unworkable levers did nothing. They’d learned efforts to escape were futile, so even when escape was possible, they didn’t try.

In other words, as unsettling as Seligman’s methodology was, he brought to light a foundational truth taught to every psychology student: just as animals can learn helplessness, so can people.

Learned Helplessness Traps People in Poverty

Jocelyn is a good example. For decades, she struggled with homelessness and a needle drug addiction. Nothing she tried solved the problem— whether it was a new relationship or another recovery program. Eventually, she gave up because she learned she was helpless.

If you’ve been fighting poverty for long, you know Jocelyn’s story is not unique. In fact, a 2013 Pew Charitable Trust study revealed that 70% of those born in poverty also die in poverty. Which means though some may fight to escape it until their last day, most give up trying long before.

That raises the question, “How can you and I help people who have learned helplessness succeed in breaking free? 

Three Ways to Help People Overcome Learned Helplessness

First, use a hands-on approach. Dr. Seligman didn’t leave dogs with learned helplessness in that condition. He was committed to rehabilitating them. But the only way he could was to move their legs for them until they realized they could escape on their own. It was, quite literally, a hands-on approach.

In the same way, I’ve seen a hands-on reversal of learned helplessness countless times over the last 20-plus years of ministry. I have no doubt that coupling our efforts to free people from poverty with that kind of approach works. 

That means assigning volunteers to walk alongside a person (or taking time to do it ourselves) so we can encourage and coach them through various tasks and decisions as they navigate their escape from poverty. 

Second, give positive feedback. Anytime you see someone trying to break free from the tether of chronic poverty, compliment them. Even failed attempts deserve as much acclaim as correction. In other words, the simplest displays of initiative should be recognized with appreciation or an encouraging shoutout.

Third, inspire. People with learned helplessness also battle hopelessness. That’s why we need to be beacons of hope and inspiration. Don’t hold your passion and enthusiasm back from inspiring a person to dream of a brighter future, gain a clear vision of it, and develop steps to get there. Fewer things are more inspiring than a vision with a realistic plan. 

People Can Walk Into a Flourishing Life

When I first met Jocelyn, she needed a lot of hands-on help, encouraging feedback, and inspiration. I’m happy to report it worked! Once she realized she didn’t have to stay in chronic poverty, she took off. She went to college, got her bachelor’s — and then her master’s degree in counseling — and now, she’s on the management team at our founding mission. It’s a great story, and I hope it encourages you to press on in your efforts to help people realize learned helplessness can certainly be unlearned. 

Let’s go out there today, fight poverty, and win!

Interested in learning more about how to empower those in poverty to live a flourishing life? Get equipped by listening to The Ennoble Podcast.

James Whitford is co-founder and executive director of Watered Gardens Ministries in Joplin, MO and True Charity, which exists to champion the resurgence of civil society in the fight against poverty. He is also the author of “The Crisis of Dependency.