Problem: Reply in 175 words: From a cognitive perspective, Beth's psychological distress can be understood as a result of deep maladaptive thought patterns that shape how she interprets her experiences. Although she is talented and capable, her persistent despair and lack of motivation suggest that her cognitions are driving her emotions. Two cognitive concepts that are relevant to Beth's case are learned helplessness and locus of control. Beth's belief that her efforts are futile reflects the cognitive pattern of learned helplessness. According to Larsen & Buss (2023), learned helplessness is a state in which people accept pain or negative experiences without attempting to remove themselves from the situation (p. 386). This theory highlights how individuals develop learned helplessness when they repeatedly experience situations in which their actions do not seem to influence outcomes. Over time, they begin to generalize this perceived lack of control to new situations despite the circumstances of control. Beth's upbringing in a highly competitive environment likely contributed to this pattern. If she internalized the idea her success depended on external forces such as other peoples approval or standards that she could never meet. In doing so, she may have learned and internalized to view her own efforts as irrelevant and therefore make her feel helpless. This cognitive style can lead to depressive symptoms like the hopelessness and low motivation that Beth is experiencing. Need Assignment Help?