Learned helpless beliefs are typically conceptualized as a
relatively stable, measurable disposition that is associated with maladaptive behavior in learning situations. Interventions are
aimed at individuals who hold extreme beliefs that effort does
not have a role in overcoming failure (see, e.g., Andrews &
Debus, 1978; Dweck, 1975; Fowler & Peterson, 1981). The
interventions are designed to change "maladaptive** attributions
for failure (i.e., to uncontrollable factors) into adaptive
attributions (i.e., to effort, which is controllable).