Overview
This lecture explains what an attitude is, its components, and how attitudes are formed through experiences or observations.
Definition and Formation of Attitudes
- An attitude is a learned tendency to evaluate people, issues, objects, or events in a certain way.
- Attitudes are formed through experience or observation.
Components of Attitude (ABC Model)
- The affective component involves feelings or emotions toward a subject (e.g., being scared of spiders).
- The behavioral component refers to actions or behaviors towards a subject (e.g., avoiding or screaming at spiders).
- The cognitive component includes beliefs or knowledge about a subject (e.g., believing spiders are dangerous).
- Together, these three components make up the ABC model of attitudes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Attitude — A learned tendency to evaluate things in a certain way.
- Affective Component — The emotional or feeling aspect of an attitude.
- Behavioral Component — The action or behavior aspect related to an attitude.
- Cognitive Component — The belief or knowledge aspect of an attitude.
- ABC Model of Attitudes — A model describing attitudes as having affective, behavioral, and cognitive components.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of attitudes and identify their affective, behavioral, and cognitive components.
- Prepare to discuss how personal experiences shape attitudes in the next class.