Final answer:
A person's attitudes, positive or negative, are composed of feelings, behaviors, and beliefs and can influence how they perceive and interact with their social reality. These attitudes may be influenced by personal experiences as well as societal pressures, and there can be both conscious and unconscious attitudes that contribute to one's actions and beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
When individuals hold an attitude, it represents their evaluation of a person, idea, or object, which can be positive or negative. These attitudes are composed of an affective component (feelings), a behavioral component (influence on actions), and a cognitive component (beliefs and knowledge). It's important to note that a person may not be fully conscious of an attitude they possess, as attitudes can be influenced both by internal factors, such as personal values and life experiences, and external forces, like social pressure and persuasive advertising.
While attitudes do play a significant role in shaping an individual's behavior and the way they structure their social reality, this relationship is complex and subject to various internal and external influences, including cognitive dissonance and the force of conformity and obedience within group dynamics. It is also crucial to acknowledge that attitudes involve both explicit and implicit forms, which can result in discrepancies between what individuals express openly and their unconscious biases.