Attitude toward change shows how a person meets what is new.
In the Humanet model, Attitude Toward Change describes the way people react when their previous methods, decisions or patterns of functioning are no longer enough. It is not only about declaring “I want to change”, but about the actual ability to test new solutions, face resistance and move beyond familiar ways of functioning.
What is Attitude Toward Change?
Attitude toward change means the way a person reacts to the possibility of acting differently than before. It may include curiosity, cautious experimentation with new solutions, an inner standstill, fear of consequences, or a strong preference for staying with familiar methods.
In this perspective, attitude toward change is not a simple trait such as “I am open” or “I am not open”. It is rather a dynamic state that depends on context, a sense of safety, previous experiences, available resources and how the person understands the meaning of the change.
What does this dimension assess?
The readiness-for-change dimension shows how a person relates to new experiences, decisions, risk, uncertainty and the need to adapt.
- readiness to test new ways of acting, even with initial uncertainty,
- the ability to adjust when previous methods stop working,
- the level of resistance, fear or difficulty in starting change,
- the tendency to avoid decisions that could trigger change,
- a preference for staying with tried and tested methods,
- whether change is viewed as an opportunity, a necessity, a risk or a threat.
Three subscales of readiness for change
In the Humanet model, Attitude Toward Change includes three qualitatively different subscales. They are not simple opposites, but describe different ways of being in psychological contact with change.
Openness
Readiness to explore new experiences, test different ways of acting and stay curious about what lies beyond the current pattern.
Blockage
A state in which the person sees the need for change but struggles with decision, motivation or moving into action.
Closure
A preference for staying with familiar methods and limited willingness to consider alternatives, especially when change is associated with risk or loss of stability.
Openness
Openness describes readiness to try new ways of acting, even when uncertainty, resistance or lack of full control appears at first. A person with a higher score on this subscale may not automatically accept every proposed change, but is willing to check it, test it or treat it as a possible path.
Blockage
Blockage describes a situation in which a person recognises areas requiring change but struggles to start acting. Uncertainty, lack of motivation, fear of consequences, avoidance of decisions or a sense that previous attempts at change did not bring lasting effects may appear.
Closure
Closure means a preference for staying with proven methods and limited need to consider alternative ways of acting. A person with a higher score on this subscale may see change mainly as a risk, a disruption or something worth taking up only when it becomes necessary.
Meaning in the change process
Attitude toward change helps explain what happens between noticing the need for change and taking real action. A person may see that something needs adjustment, yet respond with curiosity, uncertainty, resistance, withdrawal, or an attempt to maintain the previous order.
This dimension is especially important in development and organisational work, because it shows what kind of support may be needed. With high openness, it may be useful to test and structure new actions. With blockage, strengthening a sense of clarity, agency and safety may be key. With closure, work may need to focus on the meaning of change, perceived risk and the real cost of staying with the current way of functioning.