What do attitudes consist of?

Attitudes are fundamentally about the feelings individuals have toward various objects, people, or situations. These feelings can be positive, negative, or neutral, and they greatly influence how someone perceives the world and subsequently responds to it. The emphasis on "feelings for or against things" captures the core of what an attitude is—an evaluative response.

Understanding attitudes as reflections of emotional responses helps clarify their role in influencing behavior and decision-making. For instance, if someone has a favorable feeling towards a particular idea or concept, they are more likely to support it or act in ways that promote it. Conversely, negative feelings can lead to resistance or avoidance.

While other options touch on related aspects, such as knowledge and experience or beliefs and opinions, they do not encapsulate the essence of what constitutes an attitude as effectively as feelings do. This distinction is crucial for appreciating how attitudes function in interpersonal relations and social contexts.