Choose the correct statements based on P-O-X triangle (Fritz Heider) in describing the process of attitude change:
A. Imbalance is found when all three sides of P-O-X triangle are negative.
B. Balance is found when all three sides of P-O-X triangle are positive.
C. Imbalance is found when two sides are positive and one side is negative.
D. Balance is found when two sides are negative and one side is positive.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A, B, C and D
Heider’s balance concept looks at three links: P (the person), O (another person) and X (the attitude object). Each link is positive (liking) or negative (disliking). An imbalance is uncomfortable, so the attitude changes in the direction of balance. A simple rule decides it: multiply the three signs. A positive product means balance; a negative product means imbalance.
A. Imbalance is found when all three sides of P-O-X triangle are negative. Correct. Three negatives multiply to a negative. If P dislikes O, O dislikes X and P dislikes X too, P shares a view with someone P dislikes, which is uncomfortable.
B. Balance is found when all three sides of P-O-X triangle are positive. Correct. P likes O, and both like X. Everyone agrees, so there is nothing to change.
C. Imbalance is found when two sides are positive and one side is negative. Correct. For example, P likes O and P likes X, but O dislikes X. P is pulled two ways, so one of the attitudes tends to change.
D. Balance is found when two sides are negative and one side is positive. Correct. For example, P dislikes O, O likes X and P dislikes X. P disagrees with a person P dislikes, which feels consistent, so the system is balanced.
NCERT (2025-26): “Process of Attitude Change … (a) The concept of balance, proposed by Fritz Heider is sometimes described in the form of the ‘P-O-X’ triangle, which represents the relationships between three aspects or components of the attitude. P is the person whose attitude is being studied, O is another person, and X is the topic towards which the attitude is being studied (attitude object). It is also possible that all three are persons. The basic idea is that an attitude changes if there is a state of imbalance between the P-O attitude, O-X attitude, and P-X attitude. This is because imbalance is logically uncomfortable. Therefore, the attitude changes in the direction of balance. Imbalance is found when (i) all three sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative, or (ii) two sides are positive, and one side is negative. Balance is found when (i) all three sides are positive, or (ii) two sides are negative, and one side is positive.…” |