Whats an Attitude?

How do I get one?

Outline/Objectives
Define attitude.
Types of attitude.
What influences attitude.
Coping with those with an attitude different
than your own.

By Definition

A complex mental state involving beliefs

and feelings and values and dispositions to
act in certain ways.

(Princeton University)

Theres more
(1)The arrangement of the parts of the body
posture; (2a)a mental position with regard to a
fact or state (b) a feeling or emotion toward a
fact or state; (3) an organismic state of
readiness to respond in a characteristic way
to a stimulus (as an object, concept or
situation).
(Merriam-Websters Medical Desk Dictionary, 3rd
Edition)

And Still More

(1) Position of the body and limbs. (2)

Manner of acting. (3) Social or clinical
psychology-a relatively stable and
enduring predisposition to behavior or
react in a certain way toward people,
objects, institutions, or issues.

(Stedmans Medical Dictionary, 28th Edition)

For today/our definition

A virus that can be contagious.
Has a needleless cure.
Can be modified, the easy or the hard
way.
Has identifiable strands/warning signs.

Bad Strands of the Attitude

Virus

The Tea Pot: blows his lid.

The Mr./Ms. Universe: wields quality like a weapon.
The Resistant Strand: threatened by change.
The Not-My-Jobber: narrow views block .progress.
The Rumor Monger: spreads stories everywhere.
The Uncommitted: simply does not care.
Chicken Little: always expects the sky to fall.
(adapted from Curing Negativity in the
Workplace, 2nd Edition)

Additional No-Name Strands

Not a team player
Does the minimum
Disrespectful
Insubordinate
Always negative
Unhappy
Pessimistic
Unpleasant

Additional Strands (cont)

Offers no solutions
Surly
Tardy
Gossipy
Clock Watcher
Prima donna
Defensive
Argumentative

Additional Strands (cont)

Work to Rule
Abrasive
Rude
Confrontational
Disruptive
Inflexible
Sarcastic
(de Jager, 2005)

Consequences
Erosion of team spirit.
Morale suffers, feelings get hurt
Poor quality service, reputation suffers
Frustration on the part of others because
they have to pick up the slack
The virus spreads
Communication suffers

More Consequences
Productivity suffers
Management has to crack down because
of perceived dissatisfaction, paranoia
ensues.

(Peter deJager is a keynote speaker on

Change Management issues)

The Good News

Attitudes may either influence behaviors,

or be influenced by behaviors.

The Bad News

There is no pill.

The Official Theories on Attitudinal

Change (Vaccines)
Persuasive Communication Works
Balance Theory
Cognitive Consistency
Cognitive Dissonance
Planned Behavior
Congruity Theory

Persuasive Communication
Changes in attitudes can result in the absence
or presence of rewards.
Acceptance or resistance to an attitude or
opinion is dependent on the incentives/rewards
that are offered in communication with those
involved.

(Hovland, Janis & Kelly, 1953)

Balance Theory
When beliefs are unbalanced, the is a
disruption in equilibrium of a system and
then pressure to change attitudes.
The two main factors that affect balance are
sentiment (liking, approving, admiring) and
unity (similarity, proximity, membership).
(Heider, 1958)

Consistency/Dissonance

People will try to maintain consistency

among their beliefs and make changes
when this does not occur.
(Abelson, 1968)

Attitude change is caused by conflict

among beliefs.

Planned Behavior

Attitudes influence behavior along with two

other factors:
- Perceptions of social norms
- Beliefs about ones personal ability to perform a
specific behavior.

(Diclemente and Crosby, 2002)

Congruity Theory
Assumes attitudes are simplistic and tend
toward extremes (proven false).
Assumes that if a liked and disliked object
become related, the feeling toward both
will become more neutral.

(Osgood and Tannen, 1960)

Creating a Positive Attitude in the

Workplace (Vaccine)

Lead/teach/support by example-be a new positive

cure.
For yourself or others, your voice, both internal and
external needs to be that of an antibody.
Dont support or listen to whining (Mount Serat
example).
Try to find the positive for everyone.
Dump the drama-all it does is sell copies (or in this
case, spread the germ).

Creating a Positive Attitude in

the Workplace
Recognize, support and teach quarantine
procedures (time-out).
Discourage retro-virus submission (live in the
now-Alice in Wonderland Analogy).
Promote anti-viral acknowledgements (list the
10 best things about working here)
Take your vitamins (get pumped up).
Smile and be happy (you did not need a shot).

TIPS for Improving Your Own

Attitude
Dont associate with people who have hostile
attitudes, you might get infected (water and
vinegar analogy).
Remember other patients (coworkers).
Practice optimism and positive self-talk (inner
voice).
Dwell on positives.
Maintain perspectives/choose battles carefully.

Tips (cont)
Give others the benefit of the doubt.
Become a problem-solver.
Be alert.
Utilize self-control.
Mange stress.
Stay physically healthy
Empathize

Job Tips
Look for creative ways to make tasks more
interesting.
Try sharing or trading tasks-tedium v.
challenge.
Ask for more responsibilities.
Adjust your schedule to best mange boredom.
Look for a alternatives.

What Can EAP Counselors Do?

Educate regarding appropriate attitude
Teach by coaching, role play
Provide positive reinforcement
Help identify triggers to the attitude and
help with coping skills to combat the
situation.

What Can You Do?

1. First and foremost-be honest with yourself.
2. Recognize warning signs (negative thoughts,
blaming behavior, pessimism).
3. Use positive affirmations.
4. Visualize your day before it begins.
5. Write down your goals.
6. Put your head in the game and focus.

What Can You Do? (cont)

7. Think about a successful person you
admire.
8. Avoid naysayers who shoot you down.
9. Practice, practice, practice.

References

Diclemente, R. J., and Crosby, R.A. (2002) The Gale Group Inc.,
Macmillan Reference USA, New York, Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health,
2002.
www.crmlearning.com; Attitude Virus: Curing Negativity in the Workplace,
1/5/07.
Brandi, J. (2007). Creating a Positive Employee Attitude in the Workplace.
The Sideroad. Ontario: Blue Boulder Internet Publishing.
Abelson, R. (1968). Theories of Cognitive Consistency Theory. Chicago:
Rand McNally.
Heider, F. (1959). The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations. New York:
Wiley.
Hovland, C., Janis, I., & Kelley, H. (1953). Communication and Persuasion.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Triandis, H. (1971). Attitude and Attitude Change. New York: Wiley.
De Jager, P. (2005). The Consequence of Attitude. www.technobility.com.