According to the social-cognitive perspective,women are more vulnerable to depression than men because they are more likely to

A) have unrealistically optimistic goals in life.
B) experience learned helplessness.
C) experience low levels of norepinephrine.
D) experience cyclical variations in hormone levels.

Question

Kristina Peterson · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  The social-cognitive perspective suggests that depression arises from a combination of negative life events and maladaptive thought patterns, particularly those related to feelings of helplessness and lack of control. Women may be more vulnerable to depression than men because they are more likely to have learned to feel helpless when faced with adversity. This learned helplessness could contribute to a greater risk for depression. The other options - having unrealistically optimistic goals, low levels of norepinephrine, and cyclical hormone variations - are not specifically related to the social-cognitive perspective as explanations for gender differences in depression.

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