On “learned helplessness”: The therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive shocks

Abstract

Nineteen dogs were given a series of unavoidable, inescapable electric shocks while confined in a harness. Later, these dogs were tested for escape/avoidance learning in a shuttlebox. Compared to two control groups of eight dogs each, the preshocked dogs showed marked impairment of escape/avoidance learning. Indeed, 10 of the preshocked dogs never escaped, showing maximum helplessness. These 10 dogs were subsequently divided into two groups for the main experimental manipulation. One group of six received a series of six electroconvulsive shock (ECS) treatments over a 3-day period. The second group of four dogs served as controls; they received exactly the same manipulations with the exception of the electroconvulsive shocks. Four days later, these groups were tested again for escape/avoidance responding. The group that received ECS showed marked improvement, while the controls did not. © 1977, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.