Understanding  Attitudes

Attitudes are an integral part of human behavior. They are the basis of our perceptions, beliefs, opinions, values, and behavior. Attitudes can be defined as our evaluations of people, things, and situations, which lead us to act in a particular way. In this post, we will explore what attitudes are, how they are formed, and why they matter.

What are Attitudes?

Attitudes are the emotions and beliefs that shape our opinions and actions. They can be positive or negative and influence how we interact with others. Attitudes can be a result of personal experiences, communication with others, or learned from society.

How are Attitudes Formed?

Attitudes can be formed through various means such as personal experiences, observation of others' behaviors, media exposure, and socialization. Our attitudes develop over time and can change based on new experiences or information.

Why do Attitudes Matter?

Our attitudes influence our behaviors towards others and affect how we perceive the world around us. Attitudes can impact our decision-making process and lead to positive or negative outcomes.

Perception

Perception refers to how we interpret or make sense of our environment. Our perceptions can be influenced by our beliefs and attitudes towards certain situations or individuals.

Beliefs

Beliefs refer to a person's conviction or acceptance of something to be true. Our beliefs can shape our attitudes towards various aspects of life.

Opinions

Opinions refer to a person's views or thoughts about a particular subject. Our opinions are influenced by our attitudes towards that subject.

Values

Values refer to what is important to us in life. Our values can affect our attitudes towards certain issues that we consider significant.

Behavior

Behavior refers to the actions we take in response to certain situations or events. Our attitudes can influence our behavior towards others.

References:

1. Crano, W. D., & Prislin, R. (2019). Attitudes and persuasion. Annual review of psychology, 70, 111-136.
2. Eagly, A. H., & Chaiken, S. (2018). The psychology of attitudes. Routledge.
3. Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M. (2018). Social psychology. Pearson.
4. Petty, R. E., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1986). Communication and persuasion: Central and peripheral routes to attitude change. Springer Series in Social Psychology.
5. Wood, W., & Eagly, A. H. (2012). Biosocial construction of sex differences and similarities in behavior." Advances in experimental social psychology, 46, 55-123.