Attitudes

A brief over of Attitudes for Nursing students

1. ATTITUDES By Lorita Furtado

2. Attitude is a psychological construct a mental and emotional entity that characterizes a person.  They are complex and are an acquired state through experiences Definition It is an individual's predisposed state of mind regarding a value and it is precipitated through a responsive expression towards oneself, a person, place, thing, or event (the attitude object) which in turn influences the individual's thought and actions.

3. Types  of Attitude 1 .  Positive attitude : Predispositions that results in desirable  outcomes  2 .  Negative  attitude : Predispositions that results  in an undesirable  outcome s 3 .  Neutral Attitude : Predispositions that results in  balanced  approach

4. Functional Classification of Attitudes Daniel Katz classified attitudes into four different groups based on their functions: Utilitarian : People adopt attitudes that are rewarding and that help them avoid punishment . Knowledge : help people organize and interpret new information Eg : I believe that good things happen to good people. Ego-defensive : attitudes can help people protect their self-esteem Value-expressive : used to express central values or beliefs

5. Components of Attitudes 1 . COGNITIVE Opinion  or beliefs about  attitude object ( pos  &  neg ) 2.  AFFECTIVE- emotions  and feelings the  object triggers ( pos  &  neg ) 3. BEHAVIORAL reaction toward the  object ( pos  &  neg  actions)

6. Theories of attitude change 1 .  Cognitive Dissonance Theory    If there is an inconsistency between two  attitudes or between attitudes and  behavior people  seek to make them  consistent  Achieve a stable state with minimum of Dissonance.   2 .  Self ­ Perception  Theory     Attitudes  do not  cause behavior , behavior causes attitudes   Attitudes  are formed  based on  behavior 

7. Bases/Levels of Attitude Change Compliance : Refers to a change in attitude based on consequences. Identification :  Refers to one's change of attitudes in order to be similar to someone he/she admires or likes. Eg : Often , children's attitudes on race, or their political party affiliations are adopted from their parents' attitudes and beliefs . Internalization  refers to the change in attitudes when one finds the content of the attitude to be intrinsically rewarding. The new attitude is consistent with the individual's value system .

8. Strategies of Attitude Change Based on conclusion drawn by Shiffman Attitudes can Changing the Basic Motivational function Eg : A person can be made to have a positive attitude towards a tool by showing him the beneficial uses of that tool. Associating the item with an Admired Group Eg : A child can be encouraged to eat vegetables by showing him a cartoon showing his hero eating vegetables. Resolving two Conflicting Attitudes Eg : A person who has a negative attitude towards studying and likes watching videos instead can be taught a particular subject through videos thus changing his attitude towards that subject

9. Strategies of Attitude Change Altering Components of the Multi-Attribute Model Involves changing overall belief about that item . Eg : A child can be made to create a negative attitude about junk foods by not only telling him about negative effects of eating junk foods but also showing him video clips of people suffering with diseases caused by eating junk foods and also by showing him the unhygienic conditions under which certain junk foods are prepared. Comparing with other similar items Eg : A child who likes chocolate dosa can be made to eat a ragi dosa which looks similar to that of chocolate dosa

10. Effects of Attitudes   on  Behavior Attitudes  are related to multiple behavioral   patterns . Attitudes  influence the intentions and intentions influence the behavior . Intention is the better predictor of   behavior than attitude. Attitudes have a stronger effect on behavior if they are:­ important specific accessible social  pressure reinforces  the  attitude  experience  with  the attitude.

11. How can we develop positive attitude  ? A positive and right attitude can be developed by: Self  image and self  reformation Education  and hard  work Discipline  and  organization Belief  in goodness's and truth  Spending time with positive people and investing on positive habits and lifestyle.

12. Importance of a Positive Attitude for Nurses A Positive Attitude in Health Care – Not a Choice, a Necessity The attitude of a nurse is very important as, it governs her daily life and determines her outlook A good attitude often helps in gaining positive reputation and securing better opportunities for career growth and development Patients are affected by everything a nurse does and this includes her attitude , and demeanor. They will feel they are getting compassionate care from an individual who has their best interest in mind . I t is imperative for a nurse to have balanced attitude towards work and home

13. Importance of a Positive Attitude for Nurses Nurses are the backbone of any healthcare facility. They touch every life that comes into the facility and it is imperative those patients receive the best care from the best people. A positive attitude can increase the consistency of high performance and guarantee patient satisfaction C hoosing a positive attitude is the best way to be in sound mind thus avoiding mistakes during work. Attitude influences all areas of day-to-day life and determines how well one handles stress . Regardless of what may be going on we can  choose   to have a good attitude and thus remain optimist towards the situation.

14. References https://www.slideshare.net/aparnakelkar2/attitude-development-158046540?qid=4de63f4b-65d8-48ec-9395-d3449c02fd6b&v=&b=& from_search=2 https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitude_change https://www.slideshare.net/Meghaanilkumar/attitude-change-143988875?qid=d997e7bf-fc95-4511-a831-42fb1dead592&v=&b=& from_search=5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitude_(psychology ) Thank You