Psychology 3: 'Don't give me that attitude'!

The relationships between knowledge, emotions and behaviour are complex, and yet it is important to understand how these factors can affect a person's health. This is of particular relevance in relation to a person's lifestyle and his/her response to health promotion strategies. In this article there is a presentation of the psychological conceptualization of attitudes. Issues are raised which can be used to help nurses to understand some of the factors which underpin attitude formation and change. Use of this knowledge can be made to inform nursing assessment and to enhance compliance with professional advice. The main argument to emerge is that any standardized health advice is more effective if it is supplemented with an individualized focus which is directed towards empowerment of the person, and which is sensitive to his/her particular circumstances.