Thirukkural-On Avoiding Vulgarity-Kural-454

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It looks as if one"s knowledge and dispositions arise from the mind,
But in reality they stem largely from one"s company.

This verse would indicate how remarkable a psychologist Thiruvalluvar is, when he warns the Prince against association with the low-minded. Psychologists aver firmly that dispositions or attitudes are acquired traits. These, therefore, arise from internalized ideas and consequently from habits developed consciously. Naturally, these would depend largely on the group, in which the individual moves.

Therefore, even though one"s ideas and attitudes may seem to be the product of one"s own mind, they may be identified, by and large, as the total result of the collective influence of the company he keeps. In this context, it is also well known that questionable ideas and bad habits catch on faster, than good and wholesome thoughts and salutary habits, which take time and effort to be absorbed, cultivated and internalized.

Experts define attitudes as 'enduring organization of motivational, emotional, perceptional and cognitive processes, with respect to some aspect of the individual"s world." Further, attitudes have an 'affective component", as a result of which the mere presence of the relevant object is enough to trigger off the prepared response, which means the shaping of a particular kind of behaviour.