Attitude and aptitude: how are they different?

Attitude and aptitude, are they the same? What does each concept mean? Although we tend to confuse them—since they are almost homophonous words—they are two different notions.

To begin with, attitude refers to a way of behaving towards a situation, person or idea, while aptitude refers rather to a capacity or ability. To better understand their distinctions, we will give examples from social, work, family, academic and personal life.

What is the difference between attitude and aptitude?

The first step to establish the difference between both concepts is to understand their definition, according to the Royal Spanish Academy, Aptitude is the “ability to operate competently in a given activity.”. That is, the ability that a person may have to perform a specific task.

On the other hand, attitude is the “disposition of mind manifested in some way.” It is a mental and emotional tendency that influences the way we deal with various aspects of life.

Thus, as we have been able to intuit, attitude includes tendencies, personality traits and ways of reacting to problems. In the case of aptitude, we talk about the ability to fulfill certain roles and functions.

We understand then that one of the main differences is that an attitude can be positive, negative or neutral, while an aptitude usually has a positive and valuable connotation.

Examples of attitude and aptitude in different aspects of life

The phonetic and graphic difference is minimal. They are one letter away. However, the points of disagreement between both concepts are much more evident in the various areas of a person’s life. Let’s look at some.

In the Laboral scene

In the workplace, attitude and aptitude are two highly valued qualities. Although they are often confused due to their similar pronunciation, they are specific concepts.

To illustrate, an attitude could be manifested by showing initiative in seeking solutions. It is what makes a worker get involved in tasks, commit to his role and propose ideas. Meanwhile, an aptitude could be the innate or developed ability to learn quickly or to perform specific tasks skillfully.

In this sense, we see how aptitude has to do with that which is more “technical” (knowledge), and attitude is related to the type of personality with the tendency to act in such a way.

Without a doubt, and according to what was stated in a report published in the Business Science Magazine, The combination of positive attitudes and valuable skills function as the main pillars of professional growth.

Aptitude and attitude in the family environment

At the family level, we see examples of attitude when we decide to spend more time with our loved ones or when we offer to take care of our nephews. But we can also have negative attitudes that can affect our relationships, such as not being willing to help with household chores or encouraging constant criticism.

And how is an aptitude reflected in the family environment? Have good ability to organize activities, be able to express feelings clearly and respectfully, or have skills to establish limits with children, for example. These are useful skills for the harmonious functioning of family coexistence.

In the social sphere

In extrafamilial social groups, we also find various attitudes and aptitudes that make visible the differences between these concepts.

Having the initiative to often meet with friends, showing ourselves available to accompany them during a difficult situation or expressing enthusiasm for their achievements are examples of attitudes that can strengthen our social relationships. A negative attitude could be responding aggressively when we are angry.

And as for aptitude, we can think about the ability to organize different and fun plans with them or knowing how to handle disagreements or conflicts constructively, for example.

In the academic field

As proposed in a research work published in Atlante Cuadernos de Educación y Desarrollo, both concepts play a fundamental role in the learning process. The same is stated in a study carried out by the doctor of philosophy, Michael Sturgeon, in relation to learning a foreign language.

So, A successful student makes use of his or her knowledge and intellectual abilities (aptitudes) while cultivating positive behavior (attitude). which contributes significantly to their motivation, and therefore, to their performance.

It is possible then that a student with enormous technical skills, but with a less than enthusiastic or committed attitude, may present certain difficulties when reaching their maximum potential in the academic area.

On a personal level

Regarding the personal area, attitudes refer to the way we behave with ourselves and with others. When these are positive, they have a more than relevant influence when it comes to acquiring and maintaining healthy habits, for example. A conscious and balanced attitude towards eating can lead to healthier choices.

On the other hand, a sedentary or pessimistic attitude can result in a less active lifestyle, and in the long term, contribute to health problems.

When we talk about skills, we refer to the specific skills we have or develop to face situations and challenges. On a personal level we can include an infinite number of examples; such as the ability to organize tasks and establish priorities, have good emotional intelligence, have self-discipline or creativity.

Two valuable notions

As we have seen through these examples, attitude and aptitude are two different concepts. However, Both are essential for a successful and fulfilling life.. Each of these psychosocial variables brings its own set of benefits and plays an important role in different aspects of our lives.

The popular expression “everything is a matter of attitude” makes us think that when developing a project or achieving our goals, our attitude is a determining factor, beyond our abilities.

What do you think? Is it more important to have good skills or to have a positive attitude towards life? It is a topic that invites, without further ado, to continue reflecting.

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