When most people think about attitude and character, they think of them as one and the same. However, there is a big difference between the two. Attitude is what you show to the world, whereas character is who you are when no one else is looking. Your attitude can be changed in an instant, but your character is much more difficult to change. That’s why it’s so important to develop good character traits early on in life because they will carry with you throughout your entire journey.
What is Attitude?
- Attitude is defined as a “mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state.” Attitude is indicated by an individual’s body language, posture, gestures, and verbal expressions. Attitude influences an individual’s perceptions and can be either positive or negative. A positive attitude reflects an individual’s willingness to approach situations and people Open-mindedly with the belief that something good will happen.
- A negative attitude reflects an individual’s pessimism, cynicism, and unwillingness to take risks. Attitude is related to but distinct from one’s personality. Attitude Component: Affective (Feelings/Emotions), Behavioral (Intention/Action), and Cognitive (Beliefs/Thoughts). Attitude is multi-dimensional. An individual can hold multiple Attitudes toward the same object.
- For example, John may simultaneously believe that smoking is harmful to his health (the cognitive component) and feel disgusted when he sees someone smoking (affective component). However, he may continue to smoke because he believes it relieves stress (the behavioral component). Attitude change is more likely to occur when it is inconsistencies between the three components.
What is Character?
Character is often described as the moral quality of a person. It includes qualities such as honesty, trustworthiness, courage, and compassion. Character is often thought of as something that a person is born with, but it can also be developed over time. For example, someone who starts out shy and introverted might develop social skills and become more outgoing over time. Similarly, someone who initially lacks compassion might learn to be more sympathetic after experiencing hardship themselves. In short, the character is an essential part of who we are as human beings, and it shapes how we interact with the world around us.
Difference between Attitude and Character
Attitude and character are two important aspects of a person. Attitude refers to the way a person thinks and feels about something, while the character is the underlying personality trait that drives those thoughts and feelings. Attitude can often be changed relatively easily, depending on the situation. For example, someone who generally has a positive attitude may become more negative if they are faced with a difficult situation. Character, on the other hand, is much more stable. It is the core part of a person’s identity and is not as easily influenced by outside factors. Attitude may fluctuate over time, but the character is much steadier. Attitude is important, but the character is what truly defines a person.
Conclusion
Although attitude and character are often confused, they are two very different things. Attitude is a feeling or emotion that we have at any given moment, while character reflects our innermost values and beliefs. Our attitudes can change depending on the situation, but our character remains consistent. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is important for effective communication with others and for living a fulfilling life.
