Definition of Functional Attitudes Theory

The Functional Attitudes Theory (FAT) is a psychological theory that aims to explain how attitudes are formed and maintained based on their functional significance, or the role they play in satisfying personal needs and goals.

Key Points:

• FAT asserts that attitudes serve different psychological functions, including utilitarian, social-adjustive, ego-defensive, value-expressive, and knowledge functions.
• The utilitarian function refers to attitudes that serve to maximize rewards and minimize punishments.
• Social-adjustive functions involve adopting attitudes to fit in with social groups or gain social approval.
• Ego-defensive attitudes function to protect self-esteem and justify personal actions or beliefs.
• Value-expressive attitudes represent individuals’ self-identity and help them express their core values.
• Knowledge functions relate to attitudes formed to provide structure, organization, and understanding of the world.
• According to FAT, people are motivated to select particular attitudes based on the specific function they aim to fulfill.
• FAT suggests that attitudes can change when they no longer adequately fulfill their desired function or when alternative attitudes can better satisfy the same function.
• This theory provides a framework for understanding the dynamic nature of attitudes and the role they play in human behavior and decision-making.