Beliefs vs Attitudes vs Values

TheNibbler

I know there is a lot of overlap between these three constructs but if asked what the differences are between each of them is, how would you answer? In a lot of stuff I've read the three terms are used almost interchangeably but I know there are specific differences between them such as the fact that values are generally stable whereas attitudes are more changeable. Are there any good articles that give clear definitions of each and also possibly discuss the best ways of measuring each construct individually?

biko

The way I personally see it is that belief is the system whereupon the rest lie, an ontological assumption. Values are derived from this system. IE if you're a Christian your values are based upon the belief in God.
Your attitude then is what you project outward based on your values/belief.

JuliusCaesar

And if you are an atheist? Where do your values come from then?

JuliusCaesar

Most people constantly evaluate various aspects of their environment. This process is often behavioral in its focus (e.g., "I like eating fast food"; "Breast self-exam is a waste of my time"; "Condoms are a good way to prevent pregnancy"). Attitudes are formed as a result of this ongoing evaluative process. Thus, attitudes are defined as evaluations of entities, including behavior, that result in perceptions of favor or disfavor (Eagly and Chaiken, 1993). (http://www.answers.com/topic/attitude)

Attitude is an emotion that all people get when they have other emotions. Attitudes are positive, negative or neutral views of an "attitude object": i.e. a person, behaviour or event. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitude_(psychology))


Belief is the condition of holding a thing to be true or probable, giving credit to a person or an idea, giving credence to or having faith in a story. (http://www.answers.com/belief)

Value (personal and cultural) -- the principles, standards, or quality which guides human actions (http://www.answers.com/values)

One of these new approaches is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — a unique behavior therapy approach that aims to address human concerns about psychological problems in a mindful compassionate way, while encouraging people to pursue what really matters to them. In a nutshell, ACT is about helping people accept themselves and others with compassion, choose valued directions for their lives, and commit to action that leads them in those directions. This is why ACT is about acceptance and change at the same time. (http://acceptanceandmindfulness.com/)

biko

JuliusCaesar wrote:

And if you are an atheist? Where do your values come from then?

From the social contract

skeptic griggsy

Values emenate from what impresses one.Other people impress me, so I value them. Clean air impresses me, so I hate pollution.Values do not emenate from God as He is just a word. His composers laid out values according to their whims and tastes for the most part.:cool:

bget

JuliusCaesar wrote:

And if you are an atheist? Where do your values come from then?

Due to the link between values and attitudes you could consider the view that ones values are the product of one's attitudes thus ones values come from the same place as ones attitudes.
For example there are many social psychology arguments to suggest that ones attitudes come from social and family expectations and norms. In this way we are socialised in to our attitudes and thus our values emerge. Equally in can be in rejecting the norms and expectatuions of a particular society that one forms attitudes and thus values.