The 15 types of attitudes, and how they define us.

Different ways of behaving and feeling, psychological patterns that define us.

There are numerous factors that can alter the success or failure of an action. Even if we have the real possibility of achieving it, doing something is not the same as doing it well: our willingness to do it affects motivation and the achievement, degree or even perception of the task or situation.

We are not talking about something that is either A or B, but rather that there are many different types of attitudes. there are many different types of attitudesAnd that's what we're talking about, what they may have in this regard.

What are attitudes?

Before entering to value different types of attitudes, it is necessary to consider what we can consider attitude in itself.

In this sense, attitude is the name given to the effect of the set of beliefs and values that are relatively stable over time on the disposition or tendency to act in a certain way or to undertake some type of action. It is a a determining aspect when it comes to carrying out an action and the type of emotion that generates such activity or way of interacting or way of interacting in a specific situation or stimulus.

An attitude can be more or less generalized, and can refer to a wide area or even to a specific type of stimulus (this is what happens for example with (this is what happens, for example, with ethnic or racial prejudice).

The attitude towards the world arises from the interaction between Biological and hereditary factors (like aptitudes or personality traits, part of them are favored by the genetics of each subject) and environmental factors such as learning throughout the subject's life.

They can also be actively modified through training or mere exposure to the subject matter that generates the attitude, for example, by the activity in question with positive or negative reinforcement based on experience. based on experience.

Functions of attitudes

The presence of a given attitude has four basic functions, as proposed by Katz in 1960.

In the first place, they have a utilitarian or instrumental function, in the sense that they make it possible to undertake and approach the fulfillment of the goals of those who have them.

Another of their functions is that of knowledge, since they allow for both selectively process and even selectively perceive the information available in the environment. in the environment.

The third of the basic functions of attitudes is the expression of values, making it possible to show the beliefs behind one's actions.

Finally, and linked to the previous one, the function of self-defense stands out, linked to the preservation of self-esteem and self-concept by allowing self-affirmation and self-justification of one's own actions.

Types of attitudes

It is possible to find a great variety of attitude typesThey are classified according to different criteria and are not mutually exclusive. Among them we can observe the following.

1. According to their affective valence

One of the possible ways of classifying emotions is through their affective valence, in the sense of how they allow us to evaluate the environment and the situation. We can find the following three types of attitudes.

1.1. Positive attitude

One of the most favorable types of attitude is the positive attitude, through which the situation or exposure to a stimulus is visualized in a way that favors a positive and optimistic interpretation regardless of whether difficulties are faced, bringing the subject closer to stimulation or action and to the the pursuit of goal attainment in a healthy, confident and generally disciplined manner.confident and generally disciplined. It is usually contagious.

1.2. Negative attitude

Type of attitude that generates a negative and pessimistic view of reality, generally maximizing the aversive experience and giving little value or directly not seeing the positive aspects of the situation. It usually generates an avoidance of the performance or complaining behavior beyond what is rational, making it difficult to achieve goals.making it difficult to achieve goals. Like the positive one, it is usually contagious.

Neutral attitude

We can consider a neutral attitude as one in which judgment and thought is not tinged by either positive or negative emotionality. It is one of the least one of the least frequent types of attitude and it is usually typical of people who pretend to be impartial in their judgments.

2. Classification according to activity orientation

Another type of classification, not at odds with the previous one, refers to the way in which individual dispositions generate a concrete approach or orientation towards the idea of carrying out a behavior or activity. In this sense, we can highlight the following.

2.1. Proactive attitude

A type of attitude that prioritizes action and the autonomous and active search for an improvement in the performance of the activity or an autonomous search for the solution of problems that may arise. It is a type of mentality that promotes creativity and the generation of added valueas well as the pursuit of the achievement of present objectives and even looking for new challenges to reach after that. It is highly valued in the labor market.

2.2. Reactive attitude

This type of attitude is also linked to the performance and implementation of behaviors, but with a more passive mentality and dependent on the established. A reactive person will depend to a great extent on instructions and resources and will have more difficulties to face unforeseen problems, not being autonomous. Predisposes to conformism and non-action if there is nothing to force them to do so.

3. Classification according to the motivation to act

Other types of attitudes that can be considered arise not so much from how we orient ourselves towards the activity but what motivates us to do it. In this sense we can find the following types of attitudes.

3.1. Interested attitude

This type of attitude implies that what the subject is looking for in his action is to the achievement of their own individual objectivesThe individual does not take into account, or values very little, the needs of others.

He seeks his own benefit, either directly or indirectly, and this may be more or less evident. It can also look for the benefit of others, but it always has to report some type of personal benefit (even if it is at the level of social consideration). It promotes another type of attitude that we will see later, the manipulative attitude..

3.2. Selfless/altruistic attitude

The subject with this type of attitude carries out his actions with the purpose of generating a benefit for others or regardless of the fact that it may not generate profits or may even cause losses. It is unusual, since most actions generate secondary benefits to the subject himself, even if only at a psychic level.

4. According to the relationship with others

In addition to the goals themselves, attitudes can also be classified according to how one interacts with others.

4.1. Collaborative/integrative attitude

A very useful type of attitude, promotes interaction with others so that everyone can achieve their objectives and reach both shared and individual goals.

4.2. Manipulative attitude

This type of attitude is that of the person who voluntarily and consciously uses others, objectifying them in order to obtain their own objectives, favor their interests or direct the situation towards a point they desire.

4.3. Passive attitude

This is a type of attitude derived from a negative view of reality, in which there is an absence of initiative and activity. an absence of initiative and activityThey do not seek to approach the action but to avoid it. On a personal level, they may subordinate their desires to those of others, being dependent and not defending their rights.

4.4. Aggressive attitude

A way of acting and taking situations in such a way that one defends one's own rights independently of those of others, even ignoring or undervaluing them if they are contrary to the subject's own.

4.5. Assertive attitude

A type of attitude in which the subject defends his or her own opinions and rights consistently, while respecting those of others and being flexible in such a way as to respect the other and give room for negotiation.

4.6. Permissive attitude

This type of attitude is largely linked to the propensity to be flexible to the highest degree, permitting and assessing deviations from the norm..

5. According to the type of elements used to value the stimuli.

Another type of attitude is linked to our way of processing reality or to the type of aspects used to evaluate each situation.

5.1. Emotional/emotional attitude

The emotional or emotive attitude is the one held by people who tend to be emotionally based. tend to be emotionally based and value their own and others' affections. They tend to be more generous, romantic and affectionate both in their interactions and when assessing situations (sometimes even contrary to rationality).

5.2. Rational attitude

It is held by people who rely on the use of logic and reason when assessing reality, often ignoring irrational or emotional aspects.

Bibliographical references:

• Gerd Bohner. 2002. Attitudes and Attitude Change: Social Psychology. Psychology Press.
• Icek Ajzen. 2005. Attitudes, Personality, and Behavior. McGraw-Hill International.
• Young, K; J.C. Flügel. "Psychology of attitudes". Paidós SA.