--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human infants,\" writes psychologist…" description: "\"“Human infants,\" writes psychologist Martin Seligman, \"begin life more helpless than infants of any other species. In the course of the next decade or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/les-parrott-iii-36886_life_human-infants-writes-psychologist-martin_1671213.jpg" --- # Human infants," writes psychologist Martin Seligman… ![“Human infants," writes psychologist Martin Seligman, "begin life more helpless than infants of any other species. In the course of the next decade or two, some acquire a sense of mastery over their surroundings; others acquire a profound sense of helplessness.” quote by Les Parrott III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/les-parrott-iii-36886_life_human-infants-writes-psychologist-martin_1671213.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/les-parrott-iii-36886_life_human-infants-writes-psychologist-martin_1671213.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/les-parrott-iii-36886_life_human-infants-writes-psychologist-martin_1671213.jpg) > ““Human infants," writes psychologist Martin Seligman, "begin life more helpless than infants of any other species. In the course of the next decade or two, some acquire a sense of mastery over their surroundings; others acquire a profound sense of helplessness.”” [Les Parrott III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-parrott-iii/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human infants start helpless; later some develop mastery, others deep helplessness. **In simple terms:** Kids start helpless; later some feel powerful, others powerless. Key Takeaway Cultivate mastery, avoid learned helplessness. Themes development psychology control resilience wellbeing Mood reflective concerned Type psychological inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - education - therapy - workplace leadership - self-help Key Concepts learned helplessness self-efficacy growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How can environments foster mastery? - What barriers reinforce helplessness? A Different Perspective Not all individuals can overcome early helplessness without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Infants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infants/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [You are innately designed to use your personal power. When you don't, you experience a sense of helplessness, paralysis, and depression-which is your clue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/you-are-innately-designed-to-use-your-personal-power-when-you-don-t/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [And, I know the sense of helplessness that people feel. I know the urge to arm yourself because that's what I did. 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