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5 Attitude Function PDF

Attitudes serve four main functions: 1) The instrumental function helps people adjust to their environment to maximize rewards and minimize punishment. 2) The self-expressive function allows people to express who they are through their attitudes. 3) The ego-defensive function protects people's self-esteem by rationalizing or denying feelings they would rather not experience. 4) The knowledge function helps people understand and organize the world through their attitudes. One attitude can potentially serve all four functions simultaneously.

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Jimmie Kimani
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135 views

5 Attitude Function PDF

Attitudes serve four main functions: 1) The instrumental function helps people adjust to their environment to maximize rewards and minimize punishment. 2) The self-expressive function allows people to express who they are through their attitudes. 3) The ego-defensive function protects people's self-esteem by rationalizing or denying feelings they would rather not experience. 4) The knowledge function helps people understand and organize the world through their attitudes. One attitude can potentially serve all four functions simultaneously.

Uploaded by

Jimmie Kimani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Why do we have

attitudes?

Attitudes are functional.

They satisfy important needs.


Attitude Functions

Attitudes help people to understand the


world around them, to lead adjusted lives,
to protect self esteem and to express
fundamental values.
Attitude Functions

1.  The Knowledge Function


•  Attitudes may provide order or an
explanation for the world.
•  Attitudes can help us understand the
world around us.
Attitude Functions

2.  The Value, Self-Expressive Function


•  Attitudes tell us who we are in a positive
sense
◦  We are kind, considerate, thoughtful.
◦  We love animals.
◦  We care about the environment.
Attitude Functions

3.  The Instrumental Function


This attitude function allows us to adjust
to the environment.
-  maximise rewards
-  minimise punishment
-  do not stick your neck out
-  to get along you have to go along
Attitude Functions

4.  The Ego-Defensive Function


The ego-defensive function may protect us
from our shortcomings, from feelings that
we would rather not experience.
It protects the self from harm, guilt,
depression; it rationalises, denies.
  E.g., I hate being alone, so my attitude
towards parties is positive.
Attitude Functions
Function Definition Example
Related to whether the
Instrumental object serves some I like the independence I get from
owning a car
purpose
Protects us from
feelings we would Cars are essential in today’s
Ego- society.
defensive rather not experience
Related to whether the
object adds to a I know all the things I need to do
Knowledge to keep my car operating safely.
person’s knowledge

Self- Expresses who we are I own a sports car.


expressive
The Authoritarian
Personality

Various studies have since shown that the scale


doesn't work and, in fact, indicates nothing except
old-fashioned views.
Attitude Functions
One attitude may serve all four functions:
ego-defensive hostile towards
‘macho’ males

hostile instrumental associate with female


attitude groups only
towards
sexism self- views on women’s
expressive issues often expressed

information used to
knowledge counter injustices
against women
Attitude Functions
Example:- marketing
Instrumental Value-
Does the Expressive
product give What does the
you pleasure? product say
about you?

Ego- Knowledge
defensive Does the
What self- product meet
doubts does it your needs for
help you order and
overcome? structure?
Attitude Functions
One attitude may serve all four functions:

ego-defensive

Your instrumental
attitude
towards
travel self-expressive

knowledge
Attitude Functions

Summary …
4 functions –
  instrumental/utilitarian/adaptive
  self-expressive
  ego-defensive
  knowledge

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