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The Instrumentality of Attitudes: Toward a Neofunctional Theory.
- Source :
- Journal of Social Issues; Summer1986, Vol. 42 Issue 2, p99-114, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 1986
-
Abstract
- This paper proposes that attitudes should be viewed as strategies for meeting personal needs; they serve psychological functions. After reviewing the early functional attitude theories proposed by Katz and by Smith, and some of the problems associated with them, a new functional approach is outlined. This neofunctional approach distinguishes two principal sources for the benefit related to attitudes: the attitude's object and the attitude's expression. Within these two major categories, specific functions are described based on the author's research and that of earlier functional theorists. The personality, situational, and domain characteristics likely to influence the functional value of attitudes are also discussed. Strategies suggested by this approach for changing attitudes are briefly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ATTITUDE (Psychology)
PSYCHOLOGY
BEHAVIOR
EMOTIONS
SOCIAL sciences
SOCIOLOGY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00224537
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Social Issues
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16417886
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1986.tb00227.x