Formation of attitude

Attitudes of individuals are influenced by the culture, by the larger aggregates to which the
individuals belong, and by primary groups. This does not mean that any of these act independently;
all the groups relate one to the other.

The influence of groups on the attitudes of the individual is inversely proportional to the distance of
the group from the individual. Primary groups are much stronger in their influence on the members
of that group; large aggregates have less influence.

Attitude change

Motivation and learning are fundamental in this area as in others. Attitudes develop as the result of
an arousal of a need and then are shaped specifically through the process of learning. Thus, it is
important to remember that a need to change is present for attitude change.

Studies have shown that much of the causes of low productivity, low morale and failure in human
relations are due to poor attitudes. How can one therefor, develop better attitudes toward his work
or job? The secret to attitude change is the value system. This is easier said than done.

1. Intellectual attitude towards the work system is easy to change for with reason and logic
we can change ones mind. But what about attitudes of emotional content? Most of our poor
attitude towards work arises from our emotions or feelings. It is not easy to change ones
feelings as we can change ones mind.

2. Class structure of our country This is a determinant of many of our values which affect
our attitudes. Researchers have shown that you can forecast with a certain degree of
accuracy the value system of people by knowing their class status in the community, their
folkways and mores thus, their attitudes.

3. Experience Difference of people and many more can be a case in point on how varied
values can be, therefor, varied attitudinal reactions towards work situations.

4. Morale is the summation of the attitudes of the individuals making up the group. One may
speak of high morale where the members generally have positive attitudes and have their
needs satisfied to their expectation.

5. Job satisfaction morale and job satisfaction are closely tied to the basic concepts of
attitudes and motivation. A job attitude is a tendency to respond to aspects of the job
positively or negatively.

It is based on job attitudes but is somewhat broader in that job satisfaction relates to how
the job fits into the total picture of the persons functioning. Satisfactions outside the job are
not included except as they contribute to the persons perception of how the work role fits
with his expectations, those of others and the values that have been built up through the
incorporation of cultural patterns.
 Work

Concept of work

Work is universal. This universal thinking is expounded by Ida Tarbel, a naturalist. In her
formal essay work.
Work is a means to social progress and culture, Calvin Coolidge expresses this from an
intellectual angle.
Work is honorable; it dignifies man. Pope Paul II, in his Laborem Exercens on human work
gives us something of the spiritual and human view.

Among the ancient people work was not a pleasant sort of thing. Throughout history there has
always been an underlying element of fatigue and monotony in work. This is borne by the terms
applied to it.

Labor in Latin signifies trouble, distress and difficulty.

Travail in French originally denotes a three-pronged instrument of torture employed by the

roman legions.

Occupation among the Latins is something to seize, hold or grapple with.

Work to the Greeks is synonymous with trouble. Work and slavery are identical among the
biblical Hebrews.

Classification of work

In Behavioral Science as applied to business and Industry by Tuason et al. (1978) human work is
classified as physical or mental, sedentary or muscular.

1. Sedentary work involves control, timing and direction of activity.

2. Muscular work, the main consideration is mechanical force.

Mental and physical work

1. Mental work refers those types of activities in which remembering, thinking, reasoning,
judging, etc. are involved.
2. Physical work refers to those activities where speed, coordination and intensity of muscular
responses are the concern of the individual.

Blue Collar and Knowledge Worker

1. Blue Collar or Manual workers workers include all those who account for direct labor
costs.
2. Knowledge workers include accountants, clerks, tellers, programmers, supervisors and
executives.
Mental and Physical attributes of Work

MENTAL PHYSICAL

Mental Warm-up or
preparation or physical
mind set
conditioning

Concentration
Increased
Focus
capacity

Positive Firm control and

attitude coordination of muscles
and nerves
High quality
performance Increased quality
production

Attitude change
Decreased Physiological
interest
change

Mental fatigue Decreased control

and coordination

Conflicts and
Blunders and
mental blocks
mistakes

High tolerance of
errors

Low level of
achievement and
poor quality of work

Note: the arrows represent the functional inter-relationship of the mind and the
physical self during the period of work.