ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter the main interest was effort as an aspect of the strategic response to stress. In this chapter we develop the idea that effort as a response to stress may take many forms and may actually be an important aspect of a wider helplessness-resistant approach to life events. The main evidence is from laboratory-based research in which the thinking and decision making of depressed and non-depressed normal populations has been examined. A number of different ways in which helplessness may be resisted are described. It is then argued that what is needed is understanding of why some individuals may develop these approaches whereas others do not. A number of forms of illogical reasoning are identified, some of which act to promote pessimism and some of which help to maintain optimism.
