6.2 Attitudes

Question 1

Attitudes

Answer 1

Attitudes is what an individual believes, how they feel + how they act towards an attitude object

Question 2

Attitude formation

Answer 2

Attitudes can be positive or negative and are developed through experiences rather than being innate. It’s often formed at an early age
Can be formed by the following:
-past experiences
-socialisation
-social learning (imitate others behaviour)
-media (role models)

Question 3

Triadic model

Answer 3

Suggests that an attitude is made up if three components
1. Cognitive = beliefs + thoughts
2. Affective = emotions + feelings
3. Behavioural = actions + responses

Attitudes however are very inconsistent

Question 4

Changing attitudes

Answer 4

To be able to change the negative attitude of an individual need strategies;
- ensuring positive, successful experiences
- praising positive attitudes/behaviour
- punishing negative attitudes/behaviour
- using positive role models to highlight positive attitudes

Coaches may also use persuasive communication particularly by significant others, Which is very difficult to get right.
Alternative strategy is cognitive dissonance. An individuals attitude components all match, whether positively or negatively they are in a state of cognitive dissonance. Dissonance is caused by generating unease inside the individual.
Cognitive can be changed by educating
Affective can be changed by ensuring a positive, varied practice
Behavioural can be changed by persuasive communication