Understanding Attitude

• Definition: Attitude is a reflection of our values and beliefs.
  • It serves as an evaluation of people, objects, or ideas, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.
• Visibility and Inference: Attitude is not directly visible but is inferred from behaviour.
• Influence and Shaping: Our attitude influences our behaviour, and repeated behaviour shapes our values.

Characteristics of Attitude

• Learned Behaviour: Attitude is not inborn; it is acquired from the environment, including family and society.
• Abstract Nature: Attitude is a mental construct, meaning it is not tangible or physical.
• Expression: Attitude shows favour or disfavour towards subjects (people, objects, or ideas).
• Situational Flexibility: Attitude is dynamic and can change over time, adapting to different situations.
• Summary of Experience: Attitude is often based on personal past experiences, forming a summary of these interactions.

Attitude in Social Psychology

• Social Psychology Focus: Social Psychology studies how individuals influence and are influenced by others.
• Central Role of Attitude: Attitude is central to crowd behaviour, social movements, and opinion formation.

Positive Attitude

• Characteristics: A positive attitude is characterized by an optimistic, hopeful, and enthusiastic outlook.
• Associations: It is commonly associated with motivation, creativity, and helpfulness.
• Examples:
  • Smiling at the aroma of favourite food.
  • Actively participating in functions.
• Famous Example: Steve Jobs famously remained optimistic despite failures, showcasing the power of a positive attitude.

Negative Attitude

• Characteristics: A negative attitude is associated with pessimism, procrastination, and comparison with others.
• Signs of Expression: It shows signs like irritation, sadness, impulsiveness, and jealousy.
• Examples:
  • Criticising wedding arrangements.
  • Doubting business ideas.
• Quote: “Whether you think you can or you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford. This quote highlights how a person’s belief, positive or negative, can significantly determine their outcome.

Neutral Attitude

• Characteristics: A neutral attitude reflects indifference or detachment from situations.
• Associations: It is often associated with complacency and self-satisfaction.
• Examples:
  • Not voting due to the belief that one vote doesn’t matter.
• Quote: “The future depends on what you do today.” – M.K. Gandhi. This quote, while advocating for action, can be seen as a counterpoint to the complacency sometimes associated with a neutral attitude.

DOWNLOAD PDF