Values are about how we have learned to think about how things ought to be, or people ought to behave, especially in terms of qualities such as honesty, integrity, openness, etc.
It can be defined as a concept of the desirable and internalized criterion or standard of evaluation a person possesses.
Such concepts and standards are relatively few and determine or guide an individual’s evaluations of the many objects encountered in everyday life.
Attitudes are the established ways of responding to people and situations that we have learned based on the beliefs, values, and assumptions we hold.
How we respond to situations and our behavior can reflect our attitude.
However, we can control our behavior in a way that does not reflect our beliefs and values, which to embrace a diverse culture and behaviors as a successful manager; we have to adapt our behavior positively.
There are some similarities and differences in values and attitudes. These are;
Similarities between Values and Attitudes
- Values and attitudes are two important variables influencing the cognitive process and behavior.
- They are learned and acquired essentially from the same sources.
- They endure and are resistant to change.
- They have a reciprocal influence and are used interchangeably.
Dissimilarities Between Values and Attitudes
| Values | Attitudes |
|---|---|
| Values help to guide our behavior. | Attitudes are the response that is a result of our values. |
| Values decide what we think as for right, wrong, good, or unjust. | Attitudes are our likes and dislike of things, people, and objects. |
| Values are more or less permanent in nature. | Attitudes are changeable with favorable experiences. |
| They represent a single belief that, guides actions and judgment across objects and situations. | They represent several beliefs focused on a specific object or situation. |
| They derived from social and cultural mores. | These are personal experiences. |
