What is learned helplessness and how does it affect behavior?

Learned helplessness is described as a psychological condition where individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances, often due to past experiences that have led them to believe their actions have no impact. The host illustrates this with an example of dogs that, after being subjected to electric shocks without the ability to escape, stop trying to avoid the shocks even when the opportunity arises. This concept is critical as it explains why some individuals may not take action to improve their lives.