The Old Cliche is TRUE - Why You Should KNOW What It Says!

Hi Dien,

I like to "sample" a lot of stuff too. My family laughs at me since I am always trying to figure out what other areas I should get degrees in (i.e., biology, biochemistry, etc). Of course that is just one example--I like to run all over different areas in my life and do new things. I think we are happier and well-rounded that way. :) And you know what? That IS what makes us successful--that we are doing what we want, instead of doing what we "should."

Now for a note about Martin Seligman--he developed a learned helplessness theory through a series of experiments on dogs (yes, this was before we had ethics boards).

He placed these dogs in a little pen from which they couldn't escape. Then he sent mild shocks through the floor. At first the dogs jumped around in an attempt to avoid the shock, and obviously they looked for an escape route. Upon finding none, most dogs ended up whining helplessly.

Next Seligman placed these same dogs in the same pen--except this time there was an escape. When the shocks started, the dogs nearly immediately just whined--they didn't bother looking for an escape because they didn't find one last time = learned helplessness.

From this, Seligman hyothesized that people who become depressed may be going through the same thing--they aren't looking for a solution to their problems because previous experience suggested there isn't one. He further hypothesizes that a solution can be right under their nose (just like with the dogs having an escape)--but they don't see it because they feel helpless.

And this, I suppose, is why it is so important to "think out of the box." :-)

Becky