Is Attitude Change Possible?

A wrong attitude is any thinking that causes us to act in ways that hurt us or isolates us from others. We have attitudes about everything: ourselves, others, school, money and so on. We choose whether our attitudes will improve who we are or hurt others. A wrong attitude results in stress for the person who holds it and for anyone within shouting distance.

Contrastingly, when our attitudes are positive, we are helpful and generous toward others and exercise better judgment, problem-solving, decision-making, and creative skills. When our expectations are negative, we have less ability to solve problems and make breakthroughs because we feel insecure and emotionally fragile (Bay & Machpherson 1998). Wrong attitudes are powerful enough to divide national community and erode healthy values- but there is a light at the end of the tunnel; people with different beliefs can still reason together once they realize how their attitudes affect others. All that is needed is a change of attitude.

This paper will describe Milton Rokeach’s theory of Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values and illustrate how it is related to attitude change. I will also identify the scientific perspective that he takes as well as evaluate the str

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Janet told Steve how pleased she was with how much business he brought the firm.

Is the theory logically simple? Yes. Chances are you looked in the mirror and said to yourself, “My hair is horrible!” You might not believe your hair really is horrible, most likely you are having a “bad hair day” and this belief is temporary. Thus, telling us a lot about the psychology of individuals and how specific psychological variables systematically affect behavior. ”

The third concept explaining human behavior in Rokeach’s theory is values. When attitudes are pointing north and behavior is headed west, we must find a way to realign either the attitude or behavior to relieve the discomfort. Steve has changed his attitude and in return he is now more respected and influential. He simply suggests and extends the existing theories in hopes to contribute additional insight. Consistency theories are a primary organizing principles in cognitive processing, and attitude change can result from information that disrupts balance (LittlJohn 126).

Later, Janet suggested to Jack, one of Steve’s closest buddies, that if he also felt that Steve’s sexual attitudes and behaviors were inappropriate, that he (Jack) might talk to Steve when they were having a drink after work. However, despite this disadvantage, Rokeach is able to observe human behavior and survey attitudes and beliefs.

To change the beliefs or attitudes of another person, we must understand the other person’s situation in which he operates; how he perceives his own situation, and those around him.

Approximate Word count = 2659
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)

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