Sandra Hybels and Richard Weaver define attitudes as a group of beliefs that cause us to respond in some way to a particular object or situation.
A person’s attitude can influence his or her decision in many ways as it forms the basis for his or her behavior in taking certain actions.
In delivering speeches, for example, one will need to consider one’s attitudes and the attitudes of his target audience to check whether there are similarities.
Where there are similarities in, attitudes between the two, then the speech will be delivered and received in a very peaceful atmosphere.
On the other hand, there are certain instances where are differences in attitudes between two parties, and in such circumstances, hostilities may emerge as a result of the differences.
Why do we have attitudes?
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Katz has suggested that attitudes and motives are interlinked and depending on an individual motive, attitudes can serve four main functions as follows:
Attitude provides a base of knowledge
Attitudes provide a knowledge base and framework within which new information can be placed. Through different attitudes, different bases of knowledge are understood.
Attitude serves as a means of expressions
Attitudes are expressive. They become a means of expression. They enable individuals to indicate to others the values they hold and thus can express their self-concept and adopt or internalize the values of a group.
Attitude serves as an instrument
Attitudes are instrumental. They would determine the manner one behaves towards a person or object in a particular way, either positively or negatively.
Attitude is ego-defensive
Attitudes are ego-defensive. It may be hard to protect a person’s ego from an undesirable truth.
A person who believes in honesty will discourage any form of behavior that may result in cheating or dishonesty as in examinations.
Based on the person’s attitudes, he has developed a strong ego that will resist all forms of dishonest practices.
Factors assisting in attitudinal change
Attitudes once held are difficult to change; however, certain circumstances may cause a person to change his or her attitudes. The following are some of the factors that can assist in attitudinal change.
The persuaders’ characteristics
The characteristics of people persuading can influence you to change your own whether from positive to negative or from negative to positive.
Every wise person will need someone with good traits to emulate to improve on their studies.
Make sure to find someone who has the kind of attitude you want. Learn to let his or her life inspire and encourage you.
Presentation of issues
Presentation of issues that may cause a person to change from positive to negative or vice-versa as a result of how issues are presented to convince him or her.
Audience characteristics
Depending on the expectations of a speaker, attitudes can change if the speaker wants the target audience to have a positive perception of him or her.
Outcome of attitudes
A person may change his or her if he or she expects to get some rewards for the change or if some form of punishment will be meted out if he or fails to change.
Attitudinal change and why?
Evaluate your bad attitude first
If it is difficult to first evaluate your bad attitudes, it will be equally difficult for you to think of a change. The reason is that you may not change what you are not convinced with.
When it comes to changing your attitudes, you must do an honest self-evaluation so you could point out the areas you need to be improved or change.
Why?
If your attitudes are poor, your life will be looked at from the perspective of wickedness. This can cause you to identify the negatives instead of evaluating the areas that need changes.
Learn from better attitudes
Every wise person will need someone with good traits to emulate to improve their attitudes.
Make sure to find someone who has the kind of attitude you want. Learn to let his or her life inspire and encourage you.
Why?
Bad or negative attitudes affect other people negatively. Nobody wants to be around or with negative people. Negative or bad attitudes destroy or separate relationships.
Consider how your new attitude will affect your life
It is believed that changing from a bad attitude to a good one is what must be your priority. How this change of attitude can positively affect your life, your family, your business, your social life, and your thinking. Fix your mind on things that will follow as a result of your attitude change.
Why?
A person can remain stagnant or get backward. The attitude may delay the progress of the person with negative attitudes.
Be flexible to changes
You should believe that you can change. If you are not rigid to changes, it will help you compare your strengths and weaknesses. It will also help you to change your bad attitudes to acceptable ones.
Why?
Positive attitudes will help you to live a new life that is acceptable to our society and your relationships will people will be solid.
Stop negative thoughts
There is no how you cannot think negatively in some cases. But you must not allow your negative thoughts to overcome your positive thoughts.
When negative thoughts come, it will result in bad attitudes. So, replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
Why?
A positive attitude will reduce or end bad or negative emotions and thoughts. Changing to positive attitudes will help you recover from emotional and internal conflicts.
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