Case Study
When Ralph was allocated the post of the supervisor, his attitude was composition was cognitive (Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions, September 21, 2008 ). He had already had his belief or opinion of what formed to be a bad attitude on the basis of what he had experienced when he was a worker of the union. Ralph was surprised when he was accused of harassing a worker. In another case, Ralph disciplined another worker by sending him home without pay for the reason of coming late three times, after a complaint was raised by the union of being unfairly punished, Ralph noted he was wrong. In his time as a worker in the union, Ralph had undergone far more negative treatments hence the opinion he holds. His attitude was predictable from his initial working behavior; it is therefore that the negative treatment of him as a staff helps him to adjust to the environment and create basis of the coming period.
The barrier that hinders Ralph from changing his attitude was attributed to a prior commitment. His commitment was based on his prior experience of what harassment is. The barriers that were there that prevented Ralph from changing his attitude was the belief that he had done nothing wrong, this made him get surprised of being accused of harassment. On the other hand he had insufficient information what had transpired, this hindered him from changing his attitude. The worker had missed very limited number of days that did not call for Ralph, as the supervisor in charge, to send him home with no pay, as was the rule set by the management. It was after checking the clock-in sheets that Ralph realized of the mistake he had made. The actions that he took to the respective workers not in any way harassment and justified, he believed that the union was only set out to embarrass him. He was therefore determined not willing to accept the change of attitude.
The eventual change of Ralph’s attitude was facilitated by the availability of new information (Attitude). The prior knowledge of limited information was solved by the access of relevant and adequate information. Ralph on getting a complaint from the union of his harshness, he was able to be informed first by the union that the worker was not liable for punishment as he had missed only two days. On checking by himself in the clock in, Ralph acquired relevant and adequate information of what had transpired.
In the application of fear, the attitude of an individual can be facilitated for change fearing the implication that one may incur. In the event that Ralph was accused of harassing a worker, a grievance was filed against him. Ralphed feared of the consequence that may follow if he does not do something, this prompted him to apologize to the worker concerned.
Another factor that facilitated the change of attitude by Ralph was the resolution of the discrepancies. In the event a person, in this case Ralph was in a state of dilemma, he tends to be confused of what step to take to resolve the situation. One is force to choose what is right and what is wrong, which he finds it hard. With the assistance of another person it is resolved. Ralph sent a worker home for missing three days consecutive, with the union’s intervention; Ralph was confused of what step to take. It is with the help of the clock-in that he gets to resolve this.
After all the happenings that took place in the workplace, the manager from the orientation section offered him chance to give his opinion on the union’s attitude towards the managements. The peer played a role in helping Ralph to change his attitude. This is not far from co-opting, where Ralph joined an orientation session.
Bibliography
Attitude. (n.d.). Lesson 32.
Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions. (September 21, 2008). Attitudes and Attitude Change.
