Public Security Administration

Psychological studies have shown significant differences between attitudes towards people and attitudes towards objects. The former refer to stereotypes or attributes and the latter refer to evaluations or dispositions. In both, ambivalence is an indicator of change when beliefs and evaluations interact to form negative and positive dispositions towards the object. Conflicts are formed within the components formed by beliefs towards the object. Resistance to persuasion is a consequence of attitudinal ambivalence. If the environment threatens the formation and function of attitudes, they will adapt the individual to contingencies. Thus, attitudes have two essential functions: egoistic and utilitarian.