Attitudinal objectives are mental states that predispose learners to choose certain behaviors or actions. They involve affect (emotions), behavior, and beliefs.
Key Facts
- Definition: Attitudinal objectives are mental states that predispose learners to choose certain behaviors or actions. They involve affect (emotions), behavior, and beliefs.
- Purpose: The intent of attitudinal training is to influence or persuade individuals to make decisions in a desired direction. It aims to change attitudes, as well as associated feelings, values, motivations, and beliefs.
- Direct Attitudinal Training: This approach involves explicitly targeting attitudes and behaviors. Examples include encouraging employees to participate in wellness programs, promoting conflict resolution techniques in the workplace, or persuading individuals to recycle.
- Implicit Attitudinal Training: This approach is more subtle and often occurs as an undertone in courses with different learning goals. For instance, a software training course might highlight the advantages of a new system to influence users’ positive feelings about it.
- Instructional Strategies: Various strategies can be employed to change attitudes effectively. Some common strategies include:
a. Model Behavior: Demonstrating desired behaviors to show their effectiveness and ease of adoption.
b. Role Plays or Simulations: Using simulated scenarios to help learners understand the consequences of different choices and behaviors.
c. Create Cognitive Dissonance: Introducing conflicting beliefs or ideas to create tension and motivate individuals to change their attitudes.
d. Show Results of Risky Behavior: Highlighting the negative consequences or risks associated with not adopting the desired behavior.
e. Tell Stories: Using storytelling to evoke emotions and create a connection between the message and the audience.
f. Appeal to the Intellect: Providing solid evidence, facts, and logical arguments to persuade individuals to change their attitudes.
Purpose
The intent of attitudinal training is to influence or persuade individuals to make decisions in a desired direction. It aims to change attitudes, as well as associated feelings, values, motivations, and beliefs.
Direct Attitudinal Training
This approach involves explicitly targeting attitudes and behaviors. Examples include encouraging employees to participate in wellness programs, promoting conflict resolution techniques in the workplace, or persuading individuals to recycle.
Implicit Attitudinal Training
This approach is more subtle and often occurs as an undertone in courses with different learning goals. For instance, a software training course might highlight the advantages of a new system to influence users’ positive feelings about it.
Instructional Strategies
Various strategies can be employed to change attitudes effectively. Some common strategies include:
a. Model Behavior
Demonstrating desired behaviors to show their effectiveness and ease of adoption.
b. Role Plays or Simulations
Using simulated scenarios to help learners understand the consequences of different choices and behaviors.
c. Create Cognitive Dissonance
Introducing conflicting beliefs or ideas to create tension and motivate individuals to change their attitudes.
d. Show Results of Risky Behavior
Highlighting the negative consequences or risks associated with not adopting the desired behavior.
e. Tell Stories
Using storytelling to evoke emotions and create a connection between the message and the audience.
f. Appeal to the Intellect
Providing solid evidence, facts, and logical arguments to persuade individuals to change their attitudes.
Conclusion
Attitudinal objectives are essential in shaping learners’ attitudes, values, and beliefs. By employing effective instructional strategies, educators and trainers can successfully influence individuals to make positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors.
References
- Identifying Desired Measurable Learning Objectives. (n.d.). Clayton State University. https://www.clayton.edu/apa/docs/learning-objectives.pdf
- Malamed, C. (2023, March 13). A Quick Guide To Attitudinal Training: Strategies to Change Attitudes. The eLearning Coach. https://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/attitudinal-training/
FAQs
What are attitudinal objectives?
Attitudinal objectives are mental states that predispose learners to choose certain behaviors or actions. They involve affect (emotions), behavior, and beliefs.
What is the purpose of attitudinal training?
The purpose of attitudinal training is to influence or persuade individuals to make decisions in a desired direction. It aims to change attitudes, as well as associated feelings, values, motivations, and beliefs.
What are some examples of direct attitudinal training?
Examples of direct attitudinal training include encouraging employees to participate in wellness programs, promoting conflict resolution techniques in the workplace, or persuading individuals to recycle.
What are some examples of implicit attitudinal training?
Examples of implicit attitudinal training include highlighting the advantages of a new software system in a training course to influence users’ positive feelings about it, or portraying the benefits of change in a subtle way.
What are some instructional strategies for changing attitudes?
Some instructional strategies for changing attitudes include modeling desired behaviors, using role plays or simulations, creating cognitive dissonance, showing the results of risky behavior, telling stories, and appealing to the intellect.
Why is it important to consider attitudinal objectives in education and training?
Considering attitudinal objectives is important because attitudes play a significant role in shaping individuals’ behaviors and decision-making. By addressing attitudinal objectives, educators and trainers can help learners develop positive attitudes towards desired behaviors and outcomes.
How can attitudinal objectives be measured?
Attitudinal objectives can be measured through various methods, such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and observations. These methods help assess learners’ attitudes, beliefs, and values related to the desired outcomes.
What are some challenges in changing attitudes?
Some challenges in changing attitudes include resistance to change, ingrained beliefs and values, lack of motivation, and social and cultural influences. Overcoming these challenges requires careful planning, effective instructional strategies, and a supportive learning environment.