Lecture on Attitude

Definition of Attitude

• Attitude is a learned tendency to evaluate things in a certain way.
• It involves evaluations of people, issues, events, and objects.

Components of Attitude

Attitude can be broken down into three components, often referred to as the ABC Model:

1. Affective Component

• Also known as the emotional component.
• Involves feelings or emotions about an object or subject.
• Example: "I am scared of spiders" (Emotion: Scared).

2. Behavioral Component

• How we act or behave towards an object or subject.
• Example: "I will avoid spiders and scream if I see one" (Action: Avoid and scream).

3. Cognitive Component

• Involves thoughts, beliefs, or knowledge about a subject or object.
• Example: "I believe spiders are dangerous" (Belief: Dangerous).

Examples of the ABC Model

Example Sentence 1

"I love yoga because I get to do meditation, and I believe it helps me relax, so I will go to class each week."

• Affective Component: "I love yoga" (Emotion: Love)
• Behavioral Component: "I will go to class each week" (Action: Go to class)
• Cognitive Component: "I believe it helps me relax" (Belief: Helps to relax)

Example Sentence 2

"I am frightful of roller coasters and believe they are stupid, so I will be on the carousel at the park."

• Affective Component: "I am frightful of roller coasters" (Emotion: Frightful)
• Behavioral Component: "I will be on the carousel at the park" (Action: Be on carousel)
• Cognitive Component: "I believe they are stupid" (Belief: Stupid)

Conclusion

• Attitudes consist of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive elements.
• Understanding these components can help explain why people evaluate and respond to things in the ways they do.