Attitudes are evaluations of people, objects, or ideas that influence behavior from "summary" of The Handbook of Social Psychology by Daniel Todd Gilbert,Susan T. Fiske,Gardner Lindzey
Attitudes are pivotal in understanding human behavior. They serve as evaluations of people, objects, or ideas that shape how individuals interact with the world around them. These evaluations are not fixed; rather, they can fluctuate based on various factors such as personal experiences, social influences, and cognitive processes. When individuals form attitudes towards something or someone, these evaluations can significantly impact their behavior. For instance, if someone holds a positive attitude towards a particular brand, they are more likely to purchase products from that brand. On the contrary, if someone has a negative attitude towards a certain political ideology, they may actively avoid engaging with individuals who support that ideology. Attitudes can be explicit or implicit, conscious or unconscious. Explicit attitudes are those that individuals are aware of and can easily articulate. Implicit attitudes, on the other hand, are unconscious evaluations that may influence behavior without individuals being fully aware of them. These implicit attitudes can be shaped by societal norms, cultural influences, and past experiences. Moreover, attitudes are not isolated entities; they are interconnected with other psychological constructs such as beliefs, values, and emotions. These interconnected factors work together to shape individuals' perceptions and behaviors. For example, someone who values environmental conservation may have a positive attitude towards recycling and engage in recycling behaviors to align with their values.- Attitudes play a crucial role in guiding human behavior. By understanding how attitudes are formed, maintained, and altered, researchers can gain insights into the complexities of human cognition and behavior. This knowledge can then be applied in various domains such as marketing, politics, and social psychology to better understand and predict human actions.
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