Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Psychology

Chapter

Attitudes and Social Cognition

Question:
Attitude formation is a complex process through which individuals develop their evaluations and opinions towards people, objects, ideas, or situations. Attitudes can be influenced by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, socialization, cultural norms, and media influence. One significant factor in attitude formation is direct personal experience. Positive or negative encounters with certain people, events, or objects can shape our attitudes towards them. For example, a person who has had positive experiences with dogs may develop a favorable attitude towards them. Socialization also plays a vital role in attitude formation. Family, peers, and societal norms contribute to the development of attitudes. Individuals tend to adopt the attitudes of those around them, especially during childhood and adolescence. Cultural factors, such as religious beliefs or cultural values, can also shape attitudes towards specific issues or groups. Media influence is another powerful factor in attitude formation. Television, movies, social media, and advertising play a significant role in shaping attitudes by presenting certain messages and portraying particular groups or issues in a certain light. Overall, attitude formation is a complex interplay of personal experiences, social influences, and cultural factors. Understanding how attitudes are formed can provide insights into why individuals hold certain beliefs and can help in promoting positive attitudes and behaviors in society.

Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms often involves which of the following?

Options:

Developing positive associations between stimuli

Being praised for showing a particular attitude

Observing others being rewarded for expressing thoughts

Internalizing unwritten rules about behavior

Correct Answer:

Internalizing unwritten rules about behavior

Explanation:

Attitudes can also be acquired through the influence of group or cultural norms. These norms represent unwritten rules that dictate how individuals are expected to behave in specific circumstances. Over time, these norms may become internalized as part of our social cognition, shaping our attitudes. Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms can encompass all three forms of learning mentioned earlier: association, reward or punishment, and modelling. For instance, in certain religions, it is a normative behavior to offer money, sweets, fruit, or flowers at places of worship. When individuals observe others engaging in such behavior, witnessing its social approval and expectation, they may develop a positive attitude towards these acts of devotion.