Ramesh, a bus conductor in Bihar, survived a road accident in which many passengers lost their lives. Deeply shaken, he left his job and began running road-safety camps in his village. Identify the factor that formed his new attitude, and choose the statement that is true of that factor.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → It works through direct events that can bring about a drastic change in a person's attitude.
Option (1) It shows the norms of acceptable behaviour, with its pull strongest at the beginning of adolescence. — Incorrect. This is true of <strong>reference groups</strong>, which show a person the accepted norms. Ramesh's change did not come from a group.
Option (2) It works through direct events that can bring about a drastic change in a person's attitude. — Correct. Ramesh's new attitude comes from an event he lived through himself. This is <strong>personal experiences</strong>, which can bring a <strong>drastic change</strong> in attitude towards people and one's own life.
Option (3) It shapes attitudes mainly in the early years of life, and later through the school. — Incorrect. This is true of the <strong>family and school environment</strong>. Ramesh is an adult, and his change came from one event.
Option (4) It first strengthens the cognitive and affective components, and later the behavioural one. — Incorrect. This is true of <strong>media-related influences</strong> such as television and the Internet. Ramesh did not learn from media.
NCERT (2026-27): “Factors that Influence Attitude Formation … |