MSW alumna Lesley Broff spoke with PureWow about learned helplessness, which, Broff explains, “stems from repeated experiences of perceived failure or adversity where nothing [a person has] tried seemed to make a difference.” Essentially, the social worker expands, it’s when a person comes to believe they have no control over a situation, even when change is possible: “In everyday life, it presents in things like giving up easily, not speaking up in challenging situations or assuming efforts won't lead to success—like a student who stops studying because past attempts didn’t help, or someone who stays silent in meetings because they believe their voice won’t matter.” Read more.