A learned predisposition to respond in a consistently favorable or unfavorable manner

An attitude is a relatively enduring organization of beliefs, feelings, and behavioral tendencies towards socially significant objects, groups, events, or symbols. It is a learned tendency or predisposition to respond in a consistently favorable or unfavorable manner for a given object. Attitudes can be generally Positive and Negative, Implicit and Explicit, instrumental and Value expressive Attitudes.

Positive and Negative Attitudes

• The attitudes may be positive or negative. The positive attitudes yield favourable behaviour and the negative attitudes yield unfavorable behaviour.
• Therefore all variables must be identified and analyzed which help in the formation of favourable attitudes. The persons having positive attitudes towards the job and organisation may contribute their best to the organization.

Explicit Attitude and Implicit Attitudes

• Explicit Attitude (Conscious Attitude): If a person is aware of his attitudes and how they influence his behaviour, then those attitudes are explicit. Explicit attitudes are formed consciously.
• Implicit Attitude (Sub-Conscious Attitude): If a person is unaware of his attitudes (beliefs) and how they influence his behaviour, then those attitudes are implicit. Implicit attitudes are formed subconsciously.

Differences between Explicit Attitude and Implicit Attitudes

Explicit Attitudes are attitudes that are at the conscious level, are deliberately formed and are easy to self-report. On the other hand, Implicit Attitudes are atti­tudes that are at the unconscious level, are involuntarily formed and are typically unknown to us.

Instrumental and value expressive attitudes

As famously said by Zig Ziegler “It’s the attitude and not the aptitude that determines one’s altitude” one must accord highest priority to the attitude as the attitude is everything for a person.