What condition leads to learned helplessness?

Learned helplessness is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual is repeatedly exposed to situations that they perceive as uncontrollable. This exposure creates a belief that they cannot influence the outcome of events, leading to a passive acceptance of unfavorable circumstances. This condition is often the result of experiences where a person's efforts to change or escape a negative situation are consistently thwarted, fostering a sense of powerlessness.

In contrast, having a strong sense of control over events, effective coping strategies, or high intrinsic motivation would typically empower individuals, encouraging them to take action and persist in the face of challenges. These factors build resilience and support proactive behavior, fundamentally opposing the concept of learned helplessness, which is rooted in a lack of perceived control and ineffectiveness in dealing with life's challenges. Thus, repeated exposure to uncontrollable events is the correct choice, as it encapsulates the essence of how learned helplessness develops.