Conduct vs. Attitude — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Conduct refers to an individual's actions or behavior in specific situations, emphasizing observable activities, while attitude denotes a person's internal mindset or disposition, influencing perceptions and reactions.
Difference Between Conduct and Attitude
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conduct involves the observable actions of an individual in various contexts, such as social, professional, or personal environments. Whereas attitude encompasses the mental and emotional aspects, which are internal and subjective, shaping how one feels and thinks about different situations.
One can judge conduct by observing someone's behavior and interactions with others, making it more externally quantifiable. On the other hand, attitude is often inferred from these behaviors, as it is less visible and more about one's internal state.
Conduct can be directly influenced by rules and guidelines, which dictate acceptable behavior in specific scenarios. Attitude, however, is shaped over time through experiences, beliefs, and personal values, and is not as easily altered by external rules.
In professional settings, conduct is often closely monitored and can lead to tangible consequences if not aligned with expected standards. In contrast, attitudes are typically assessed indirectly through performance reviews and interpersonal dynamics, impacting one's reputation and relationships.
Educators and employers might implement programs to modify conduct, such as etiquette training or behavioral workshops. Whereas changing an attitude generally requires a more in-depth approach, such as counseling or motivational training, addressing deeper psychological components.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Observable actions or behaviors
Internal mindset or disposition
Visibility
Externally visible
Internally inferred
Influence
Guided by external rules
Shaped by personal experiences
Measurement
Through observation
Through inference
Modification
Through training and rules
Through psychological methods
Compare with Definitions
Conduct
Behavior as it pertains to standards of right or wrong.
His conduct at the meeting was impeccable.
Attitude
A settled way of thinking or feeling about something, typically reflected in a person's behavior.
His positive attitude made him a joy to work with.
Conduct
The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation.
Her conduct during the crisis was commendable.
Attitude
A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation.
Her attitude towards the changes was very resistant.
Conduct
Actions or behavior that reflect the operation of governance.
The officer's conduct is under review.
Attitude
An individual's expressed or inferred mindset.
His confrontational attitude was obvious to everyone.
Conduct
The way a person acts towards others.
His rude conduct was noted by many at the party.
Attitude
A complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways.
He held a generally negative attitude about the job.
Conduct
Observable actions related to a specific set of rules.
The school expects proper conduct from its students.
Attitude
The orientation of an aircraft or spacecraft, relative to the direction of travel.
Conduct
The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation
They were arrested for disorderly conduct
A code of conduct for directors of listed companies
Attitude
A settled way of thinking or feeling about something
He was questioned on his attitude to South Africa
Being competitive is an attitude of mind
Conduct
The manner in which an organization or activity is managed or directed
The conduct of the elections
Attitude
Truculent or uncooperative behaviour
I asked the waiter for a clean fork and all I got was attitude
Conduct
Organize and carry out
Surveys conducted among students
In the second trial he conducted his own defence
Attitude
A manner of thinking, feeling, or behaving that reflects a state of mind or disposition
Has a positive attitude about work.
Kept a dignified attitude throughout the crisis.
Conduct
Lead or guide (someone) to or around a particular place
He conducted us through his personal gallery of the Civil War
Attitude
Arrogant or aggressive disposition or behavior
One customer with a lot of attitude really tried my patience.
Conduct
Transmit (a form of energy such as heat or electricity) by conduction
Heat is conducted to the surface
Attitude
A position of the body or manner of carrying oneself
Stood in a graceful attitude.
Conduct
Direct the performance of (a piece of music or an orchestra, choir, etc.)
The concert is to be conducted by Sir Simon Rattle
Attitude
A position similar to an arabesque in which a ballet dancer stands on one leg with the other raised either in front or in back and bent at the knee.
Conduct
Behave in a specified way
He conducted himself with the utmost propriety
Attitude
The orientation of an aircraft's axes relative to a reference line or plane, such as the horizon.
Conduct
To direct the course of; manage or control
A police officer who conducts traffic.
A scientist who conducts experiments.
Attitude
The orientation of a spacecraft relative to its direction of motion.
Conduct
To lead or guide
Conducted the tourists through the museum.
Attitude
The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.
The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude.
Conduct
(Music) To direct the performance of (an orchestra or chorus, for example).
Attitude
(figurative) Disposition or state of mind.
Don't give me your negative attitude.
You've got a nice attitude today.
Conduct
To serve as a medium for conveying; transmit
Some metals conduct heat.
Attitude
Unpleasant behavior.
He doesn't take attitude from anybody.
I asked the waiter for a clean fork and all I got was attitude.
Conduct
To comport (oneself) in a specified way
The students conducted themselves with dignity throughout the ceremony.
Attitude
The orientation of a vehicle or other object relative to the horizon, direction of motion, other objects, etc.
The airliner had to land with a nose-up attitude after the incident.
Conduct
To act as a director or conductor.
Attitude
(ballet) A position similar to arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee.
Conduct
To show the way; lead.
Attitude
To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.
Conduct
The way a person acts, especially from the standpoint of morality and ethics.
Attitude
To express an attitude through one's posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.
Conduct
The act of directing or controlling; management.
Attitude
The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue.
Conduct
(Obsolete) A guide; an escort.
Attitude
The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the manner in which the parts of his body are disposed; position assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a threatening attitude; an attitude of entreaty.
Conduct
The act or method of controlling or directing.
Attitude
Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood; as, in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm attitude; one's mental attitude in respect to religion.
The attitude of the country was rapidly changing.
'T is business of a painter in his choice of attitudes (posituræ) to foresee the effect and harmony of the lights and shadows.
Never to keep the body in the same posture half an hour at a time.
Conduct
Skillful guidance or management.
Attitude
A complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways;
He had the attitude that work was fun
Conduct
Behaviour; the manner of behaving.
Good conduct will be rewarded and likewise poor conduct will be punished.
Attitude
Position or arrangement of the body and its limbs;
He assumed an attitude of surrender
Conduct
(of a literary work) Plot.
Attitude
A theatrical pose created for effect;
The actor struck just the right attitude
Conduct
(obsolete) Convoy; escort; person who accompanies another.
Attitude
Position of aircraft or spacecraft relative to a frame of reference (the horizon or direction of motion)
Conduct
(archaic) Something which carries or conveys anything; a channel; an instrument; a conduit.
Conduct
To lead, or guide; to escort.
Conduct
(transitive) To lead; to direct; to be in charge of (people or tasks)
The commander conducted thousands of troops.
To conduct the affairs of a kingdom
Conduct
To behave.
He conducted himself well.
Conduct
(transitive) To serve as a medium for conveying; to transmit (heat, light, electricity, etc.)
Conduct
To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.
Conduct
(intransitive) To act as a conductor (as of heat, electricity, etc.); to carry.
Conduct
(transitive) To carry out (something organized)
Conduct
The act or method of conducting; guidance; management.
Christianity has humanized the conduct of war.
The conduct of the state, the administration of its affairs.
Conduct
Skillful guidance or management; generalship.
Conduct of armies is a prince's art.
Attacked the Spaniards . . . with great impetuosity, but with so little conduct, that his forces were totally routed.
Conduct
Convoy; escort; guard; guide.
I will be your conduct.
In my conduct shall your ladies come.
Conduct
That which carries or conveys anything; a channel; a conduit; an instrument.
Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.
Conduct
The manner of guiding or carrying one's self; personal deportment; mode of action; behavior.
All these difficulties were increased by the conduct of Shrewsbury.
What in the conduct of our life appearsSo well designed, so luckily begun,But when we have our wish, we wish undone?
Conduct
Plot; action; construction; manner of development.
The book of Job, in conduct and diction.
Conduct
To lead, or guide; to escort; to attend.
I can conduct you, lady, to a lowBut loyal cottage, where you may be safe.
Conduct
To lead, as a commander; to direct; to manage; to carry on; as, to conduct the affairs of a kingdom.
Little skilled in the art of conducting a siege.
Conduct
To behave; - with the reflexive; as, he conducted himself well.
Conduct
To serve as a medium for conveying; to transmit, as heat, light, electricity, etc.
Conduct
To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.
Conduct
To act as a conductor (as of heat, electricity, etc.); to carry.
Conduct
To conduct one's self; to behave.
Conduct
Manner of acting or conducting yourself
Conduct
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Conduct
Direct the course of; manage or control;
You cannot conduct business like this
Conduct
Lead, as in the performance of a composition;
Conduct an orchestra; Bairenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
Conduct
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Conduct
Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission;
Sound carries well over water
The airwaves carry the sound
Many metals conduct heat
Conduct
Take somebody somewhere;
We lead him to our chief
Can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
Conduct
Lead musicians in the performance of;
Bernstein conducted Mahler like no other conductor
She cannot conduct modern pieces
Common Curiosities
What defines conduct?
Conduct is defined as a person's observable behavior and actions in specific settings.
How is attitude different from conduct?
Attitude refers to the internal state that influences one’s thoughts and feelings, whereas conduct refers to external actions.
Can conduct be easily changed?
Yes, conduct can be modified through direct intervention such as rules or training.
How can attitude be assessed?
Attitude is typically assessed indirectly through behavior and the quality of interactions with others.
What influences an individual’s attitude?
Attitude is influenced by personal experiences, beliefs, and values.
How do schools typically address conduct?
Schools implement codes of conduct that dictate expected behavior.
Does conduct always reflect attitude?
Not always; conduct can comply with external demands regardless of personal attitude.
Can negative attitude affect professional relationships?
Yes, a negative attitude can negatively impact work relationships and overall professional environments.
Is attitude linked to personality?
Yes, attitude is often linked to one's personality and core beliefs.
What role does attitude play in educational success?
A positive attitude can enhance learning experiences and academic success.
How are conduct and attitude developed in children?
Both are developed through a mix of upbringing, education, and social interactions.
Can a good attitude compensate for poor conduct?
While a good attitude is beneficial, it does not excuse poor conduct, especially in formal settings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
