The 15 types of attitudes, and how they define us

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

We are not talking about something that is either A or B, but there are many types of attitudesWell, this is what we are talking about, what they can have about it.

• Related article: "The 16 types of feelings and their psychological function"

What are attitudes?

Before entering to assess different types of attitudes, it is necessary to take into account what we can consider attitude itself.

In this sense, it receives the name of attitude to the effect of the set of relatively stable beliefs and values. over time in the disposition or tendency to act in a certain way or undertake some type of action. Is about a determining aspect when carrying out an action and the type of emotion it generates said activity or way of interacting with a specific situation or stimulus.

An attitude can be more or less generalized, being able to refer to an extensive area or even to a specific type of stimulus (This is what happens, for example, with ethnic or racial prejudices).

The attitude towards the world arises from the interaction between biological and hereditary factors (as well as 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.

Likewise, they can be actively modified through training or mere exposure to the issue that generates the attitude, for example associating the activity in question with positive or negative reinforcement based on experience.

Attitudes functions

The presence of a certain 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 allow undertaking and approaching the fulfillment of the goals of those who have them.

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

The third of the basic functions of attitudes is the expression of values, allowing to show the beliefs behind the performance itself.

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

The types of attitudes

It is possible to find a great variety of types of attitudes, classified according to various criteria and without being mutually exclusive. Among them we can observe the following.

1. According to their affective valence

One of the possible ways to classify emotions is through their affective valence, in the sense of how they allow us to assess 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 that positive and optimistic interpretation is favored regardless of facing difficulties, bringing the subject closer to stimulation or action and to the pursuit of achieving goals in a healthy way, 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 or no value directly seeing the positive aspects of the situation. It usually generates an avoidance of acting or complaining behavior beyond reason, making it difficult to achieve goals. Like the positive it is usually contagious.

1.3. Neutral attitude

We can consider a neutral attitude to be one in which judgment and thought are not colored by either positive or negative emotionality. Is about one of the less frequent types of attitude and it is usually typical of people who claim to be impartial in their judgments.

2. Classification according to their orientation to the activity

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

2.1. Proactive attitude

A type of attitude in which performance and the autonomous and active search for an improvement in health are prioritized. realization or performance of the activity or an autonomous search for the solution of problems that may arise. It is a type of mindset that promotes creativity and the generation of added value, as well as the pursuit of the achievement of the present objectives and even looking for new challenges to be achieved 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 what is 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. It predisposes to conformity and non-action if there is nothing that compels her.

3. Classification according to motivation to act

Another type 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 he seeks in the subject in his action is achieving your own individual goals, not taking into account or valuing the needs of others very little.

You seek your own benefit, either directly or indirectly and this may be more or less obvious. You can also seek the benefit of others, but you must always report some type of personal benefit (even at the level of social consideration). It promotes another type of attitude that we will see later, the manipulative.

3.2. Selfless / altruistic attitude

The subject with this type of attitude carries out her acts with the purpose of generating a benefit for others or regardless of whether he may not generate profit or even may cause losses. It is unusual, since most actions generate secondary benefits to the subject himself, even if it is on a psychic level.

• You may be interested: "Altruism: development of the prosocial self in children"

4. Depending on the relationship with others

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

4.1. Collaborative / inclusive attitude

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

4.2. Manipulative attitude

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

4.3. Passive attitude

It is a type of attitude derived from a negative vision of reality, in which it is presented an absence of initiative and activity, not looking for the approach to the action but its avoidance. On a personal level, they can subordinate their wishes 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 they defend their own rights independently of those of others, even ignoring or underestimating them if they are contrary to those of the own subject.

• Related article: "The 4 main theories of aggression: how is aggression explained?"

4.5. Assertive attitude

A type of attitude in which the subject defends their own opinions and rights consistently, but respecting those of others and being flexible in such a way that the other is respected and space is given for negotiation.

4.6. Permissive attitude

This type of attitude is largely linked to the propensity to be extremely flexible, allowing and assessing deviations from the norm.

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

Another type of attitudes is linked to our way of processing reality or the type of aspects that are used to assess each situation.

5.1. Emotional / emotional attitude

The emotional or emotional attitude is that of those people who tend to be emotionally based and value one's own and others' affections. They tend to be more generous, romantic, and affective both in their interactions and when assessing situations (sometimes even contrary to rationality).

5.2. Rational attitude

People have it who rely on the use of logic and reason when assessing reality, often ignoring irrational or emotional aspects.

Bibliographic 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.