Define attitude. How does attitude affect the behaviour of public servants?

Question

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Attitude is a learned, enduring mental readiness to respond to people, objects or ideas (Gordon Allport), with cognitive, affective and behavioural components. In public servants, positive, democratic attitudes build motivation, empathy and public trust, while rigid bureaucratic attitudes breed red-tapism, and attitude-behaviour conflicts cause cognitive dissonance (Leon Festinger).

**Introduction**

Attitude is a learned mental readiness that shapes public servants’ perceptions and actions, impacting governance quality and public trust.

**Defining Attitude**

1. **Allport’s Definition**: Attitude is a learned predisposition influencing responses, not a fixed trait, crucial in public service behaviour.  
2. **CAB Model Components**: Cognitive (beliefs), Affective (emotions), and Behavioural (actions) together determine how civil servants engage with challenges.  
3. **Positive Attitude and Emotional Intelligence**: Training in emotional intelligence enhances resilience and empathy, as highlighted by the Prime Minister on Civil Services Day.  
4. **Contrasting Attitudes**: Bureaucratic rigidity versus democratic responsiveness affects governance style and citizen engagement.

**Impact on Behaviour**

1. **Cognitive Dissonance**: Festinger’s theory explains how conflicting attitudes and behaviours cause discomfort, leading to inconsistent policy enforcement.  
2. **Public Trust and Accountability**: Democratic attitudes foster empathy and integrity, enhancing legitimacy and citizen participation.  
3. **Negative Attitudes’ Risks**: Bureaucratic inflexibility and blame-shifting cause red-tapism and alienate citizens, undermining efficiency.

**Way Forward**

1. **Emotional Intelligence Training**: Regular programs to build self-awareness and positive attitudes under stress.  
2. **Promote Democratic Attitudes**: ==Andhra Pradesh==’s participative governance models balance efficiency with citizen responsiveness.  
3. **Role Model Leadership**: Senior officers must exemplify integrity and empathy to shape attitudes.  
4. **Feedback Mechanisms**: Continuous monitoring in ==Andhra Pradesh== to align attitudes and behaviour, addressing cognitive dissonance.

**Conclusion**

Attitude, as a learned readiness, shapes public servants’ conduct; nurturing positive attitudes aligned with constitutional morality and Article 51A duties is key to responsive governance and public trust. As the saying goes, “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

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