ORAGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

ASSIGNMENT

SUBMITTED
BY –
PRAKASH
SINGH
MBA 1ST
SEMESTER
SECTION ‘C’
Q. Discuss the Relationship between Attitude and
Behaviour Stating When and Why Do Attitudes
influence Behaviour?
Answer: - The relationship between attitude and behaviour is
complex and it is often difficult to predict one’s attitude from
his or her behaviour. People say one thing but do not
necessarily follow it up with appropriate behaviours. Studies
have shown that there are certain special conditions under
which attitudes can predict behaviour.
When attitudes are strong and consistent, that is when the
three components of attitude are clear and stable they better
predict behaviour. Weak, unimportant and ambiguous
attitudes are less likely to predict behaviour.
When one holds a strong attitude or when one is conscious of
one’s attitude, thereby it is also easily recalled and possible
to predict behaviour.
When attitudes have been formed through direct
experience prediction of behaviour is more accurate.
When one acts under social pressure attitude may be
expressed in diverse ways. An adolescent may not want to
smoke or drink because it affects health. But peer group
pressure may force him to drink. Thus his way of thinking is
different from his behaviour.
When external influences are minimal then attitude-behaviour
relationship is becomes strong.
It is important to note whether behaviour is spontaneous or
well planned. When behaviour is deliberated upon and
planned, particularly which college to join, or when and
whom to marry, these issues become important hence hasty
decisions will not be taken. Thus, when we have time to think
and it is personally relevant then the attitude-behaviour
relationship will be strong.
Attitudes are said to influence our behaviour. But many times
it may not be true. There are arguments on both sides. Some
people say that our attitudes determine our behaviour. It is
true also. For example, if a person has a negative attitude
towards some other person, he may not express it directly,
rather he may not show any interest to join him in a party, or
to share a common platform- with that person.

On the other hand, there are opinions which state that there
is no valid proof to believe about the influence of attitude on
behaviour.

An important contribution to the study of behavioural

prediction from attitudes has been made by Martin Fishbein
(1967, 1975). He argues that there is no good reason to
believe that an overall measure of attitude toward an object
will necessarily predict a specific behaviour.

According to him attitude is a hypothetical concept

abstracted from the totality of a person’s feelings, beliefs and
behavioural intentions regarding an object. Thus an isolated
specific behaviour may be unrelated, or even negatively
related to the overall attitude.

Fishbein maintains that, in order to predict a specific

behaviour, we should not focus on people’s overall attitude
toward the object of that behaviour, but on their attitude
toward the behaviour.

Attitude about specific behaviour depends on such factors as

evaluations of the likely consequences of the behaviour and
social norms concerning the behaviour. For example, a person
may have a positive attitude for inter-caste marriage, but
because of social norms he may show negative behaviour like
disapproving it.

At times we may not like to have certain attitudes. But such a

tendency may lead to incompatibility among people in the
society who are living together. At that time we try to
develop attitudes according to situations.

This has been explained by a famous theory called ‘Balance

theory’ (Heider, 1958). The basic tenet of this theory is that
there is a tendency to maintain or restore balance in one’s
attitude structures. Because unbalanced attitude structure
leads to uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings.

Although the influence of attitudes on behaviour is not clearly

discernible. Two theories -

(1) Cognitive dissonance and

(2) Self- fulfilling prophecy

Help us to understand the direction of attitudinal influences.

Cognitive dissonance refers to the feeling of inconsistency in
feelings, beliefs and behaviour (the three components of
attitudes).This feeling makes people uncomfortable. So they
get motivated to rectify the situation by modifying their
behaviours that cause dissonance or disagreement. For
example, a nurse may have a negative feeling to work in a
Tuberculosis ward with a belief that her health will be
affected. But she will not show it directly in her behaviour,
but try to get a change from that ward itself or remains
absent from her duties.

Self-fulfilling prophecy is the process by which we try to

convert our attitudes, beliefs and expectations-into reality. If
we predict that something is going to happen, we will try very
hard to make it happen. For example, if we feel that we are
competent, we will undertake challenging tasks.