Effects of Learned Helplessness on Rorschach Responses

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between the laboratory experience of learned helplessness and depressive responses on the Rorschach. 50 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either a learned-helplessness or nonlearned-helplessness condition. After completion of the experimental conditions, subjects were administered Rorschachs which were scored utilizing the Exner Comprehensive System. Student's t tests indicated significantly higher scores on the sum of all responses involving the use of shading and achromatic features (right-side eb) for the learned-helplessness subjects. According to Rorschach theory, these results suggest that subjects in a learned-helplessness condition experience a more painful affective state and tend to withdraw from their environment more than subjects experiencing a nonlearned-helplessness condition. This can be seen as a defense against experiencing more stress. These conclusions are discussed in the context of learned helplessness and reactive depression.