Any particular attitude may satisfy one or more of these functions. The most important function of any attitude can only be ascertained by considering it in relation to the person who holds it and the environment in which they operate. Consequently, what is apparently the same attitude may serve rather
different purposes depending on who holds it and where/when it becomes salient to them. 1. Adjustment Function 2. Ego Defensive Function 3. Value expression function:Functions of Attitude
- Whereas ego defensive attitudes are formed to protect a person’s self image, value expressive attitudes enable the expression of the person’s centrally held values. Central values tend to establish our identity and gain us social approval thereby showing us who we are, and what we stand for.
Some attitudes are important to a person because they express values that are integral to that person’s self concept [i.e. their ideas about who they are].
- EX: if you view yourself as a Muslim, you can reinforce that image by adopting Islamic beliefs and values.
- EX: We may have a self-image of ourselves as an enlightened conservative or a militant radical, and we therefore cultivate attitudes that we believe indicate such a core value.
4. Knowledge function:
Some attitudes are useful because they help to make the world more understandable. They help people ascribe causes to events and direct attention towards features of people or situations that are likely to be useful in making sense of them. Consequently, they help to make the world more understandable, predictable and ‘knowable’.
- Humans have a need for a structured and orderly world, and therefore they seek consistency stability definition and understanding. Out of this need develops attitudes toward acquiring knowledge.
- Attitudes achieve these goals by making things fit together
and make sense. Example:
- I believe that I am a good person.
- I believe that good things happen to good people.
- Something bad happens to Abhishek.
- So I believe Abhishek must not be a good person.
Stereotyping is an example of the knowledge function of attitudes. Stereotypes are mental structures that allow us to predict the characteristics a person based on the group they belong to. Using stereotypes to make sense of people is quick and requires minimal mental effort – both significant advantages in a complicated and fast-moving world.
One of the more common stereotype examples is stereotypes surrounding race. For example, saying that all Blacks are good at sports is a stereotype, because it’s grouping the race together to indicate that everyone of that race is a good athlete.
Of course, the down side of this type of thinking is that the inferences we make about people based on stereotypes may be unhelpful and wildly inaccurate. Possible prejudicial effects of stereotypes are:
- Justification of ill-founded prejudices or ignorance
- Unwillingness to rethink one’s attitudes and behavior towards stereotyped groups
- Preventing some people of stereotyped groups from entering or succeeding in activities or fields
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- Katz’s functionalist theory also offers an explanation as to why attitudes change. According to Katz, an attitude changes when it no longer serves its function and the individual feels blocked or frustrated. That is, according to Katz, attitude change is achieved not so much by changing a person’s information or perception about an object, but rather by changing the person’s underlying motivational and personality needs.
- EX: As your social status increases, your attitudes toward your old car may change – you need something that better reflects your new status. [For that matter, your attitudes toward your old friends may change as well].