A key research study demonstrated that individuals who have a habitual tendency to attribute negative life events to internal, stable, and global causes are significantly more prone to developing symptoms of depression when experiencing negative life events (Peterson & Seligman, 1984).

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The reformulated learned helplessness theory builds upon the original model by emphasizing the role of attributions—mental explanations for events—in fostering a sense of helplessness and depression. The theory posits that it is not just the experience of uncontrollable negative events, but how one explains those events that matters. Specifically, it predicts that individuals who attribute negative outcomes to internal, stable, and global causes will perceive a lack of control over the situation. This perceived powerlessness, in turn, makes them particularly vulnerable to developing depression.

Reformulated Learned Helplessness Theory

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

According to the reformulated learned helplessness theory, an individual's attributional style for life events is a key factor in the development of depression. This style is characterized by three dimensions of explanation for an outcome: internal vs. external (attributing the cause to personal factors or situational factors), stable vs. unstable (viewing the cause as permanent or changeable), and global vs. specific (seeing the cause as affecting all areas of life or just one). Research indicates that individuals who consistently make internal, stable, and global attributions for negative events perceive a greater lack of control, which increases their vulnerability to developing depression.

Attributional Style

The hopelessness theory of depression posits that a specific style of negative thinking can lead to a sense of hopelessness, which in turn triggers depression. Hopelessness is defined as the expectation that negative outcomes are inevitable or desired outcomes are unattainable, coupled with the belief that one is powerless to change the situation. According to the theory, this sense of hopelessness arises from a person's tendency to attribute negative life events to causes that are stable (unchangeable) and global (affecting all aspects of life). When individuals with this cognitive style face undesirable events, they are more likely to view them as having damaging implications for their future and self-worth, which fosters the hopelessness that is considered the primary cause of depression.

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