Functions of attitude

Attitude is the organization of feelings and behavior expressed towards a social object, individual, symbols, and or groups with the intent of showing interest. Acts portrayed by individuals are usually influenced by the attitude one possesses towards the subject matter involved at that moment. More so, attitudes dictate how a person relates to others through emotions, feelings, and the knowledge they have on others. Behavior in a person refers to how healthy and significant an attitude a person possesses, thus the more influential the attitude, the more likely the response is affected. Experiences that are faced directly by an individual are most likely to provide a basis through which a person develops a healthy attitude in comparison to attitude formed when an individual has an indirect experience like reading and watching. Attitude is classified into three functions which are; understanding function, social identification function and social adjustment function.

In understanding life and accepting the world as a whole, attitude provides knowledge through the understanding function, which permits an individual to predict what is likely to take place at a given time, location, and situation-hence forcing an individual to structure and arrange their experiences. The understanding function helps an individual to correlate easily with others as it helps them predict behaviors displayed by others through their attitude. For example, knowing a person is religious, one can predict that the individual will go to a spiritual center like the mosque or church (Eagly, A. H., And Chaiken, S., 1993).

Social identity function provides a basis for who and individual is and how they express themselves. This function creates a sense of self-respect and identity. Therefore, making an individual feel-good of who they are. It is easy for an individual to be understood by others when they express their beliefs, values, and also their feelings. This is because attitude plays a crucial part in a person’s general identity. Non-verbal expressions such as slogans and clothes can also express attitude, which shows an individua’s personality.

Relating to others in a society is necessary for every human being. Social adjustment function helps an individual to associate and fit in a community, or a given group-the The social adjustment function provides approval on when and how one is supposed to express an attitude socially. People will always try to find others with the same kind of mentality and build their attitude to the ones they like. They are hence being approved and accepted socially in society. When a person expresses an attitude that is acceptable by the community, the individual is automatically recognized and accepted socially in that particular society. Therefore these functions give an individual the knowledge to understand themselves and others.

References

Eagly, A. H., And Chaiken, S. (1993, May 21). The psychology of attitudes. Harcourt Brace: Jovanovich college. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/attitudes.html

Hogg, M., and Vaughan, G. (2005). Social Psychology 4th edition. London: Prentice-Hall.