@brantly 10 bonus points! That is exactly what the correct description and use of the term “learned helplessness” (coined by Marty Seligman who was at that time at StonyBrook) was all about. One of my professors in grad school (now former APA president) was a student of Seligman’s and had one of his research dogs. That poor thing was a nervous wreck! OK- now for the lightening round (and no peeking on google, wiki or wherever). What were Seligman’s follow-up research areas on optimism/resilience and happiness?
Sorry for the digression, but what brantly said is correctly what “learned helplessness” is. It’s not being unfamiliar with how to wash your socks.