Identify the four significant features of attitude
A. Similarity
B. Simplicity
C. Extremeness
D. Valence
E. Complexity
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B, C, D, E only
The four significant features of attitudes are valence, extremeness, simplicity or complexity (multiplexity), and centrality.
A. Similarity Incorrect. Similarity is not a feature of attitudes. The fourth feature is centrality, the role of a particular attitude in the attitude system, and the question does not list it.
B. Simplicity Correct. This is one side of the feature simplicity or complexity, which refers to how many attitudes there are within a broader attitude. An attitude system is ‘simple’ if it contains only one or a few attitudes, like the attitude towards a particular person.
C. Extremeness Correct. Extremeness shows how positive or negative an attitude is. On a 5-point scale, ratings of 1 and 5 are equally extreme, only in opposite directions, while a neutral attitude is lowest on extremeness.
D. Valence Correct. Valence tells us whether an attitude is positive or negative towards the attitude object.
E. Complexity Correct. This is the other side of the same feature: an attitude system is ‘complex’ if it is made up of many attitudes, like the attitude towards health and well-being, which holds views on physical and mental health, happiness and how to achieve them.
NCERT (2025-26): “Nature and Components of Attitudes … In addition to the affective, cognitive and behavioural components, attitudes also have other properties. Four significant features of attitudes are : Valence (positivity or negativity), Extremeness, Simplicity or Complexity (multiplexity), and Centrality.…” “…Valence (positivity or negativity) : The valence of an attitude tells us whether an attitude is positive or negative towards the attitude object.…” “…Extremeness : The extremeness of an attitude indicates how positive or negative an attitude is.…” “…Simplicity or Complexity (multiplexity) : This feature refers to how many attitudes there are within a broader attitude. Think of an attitude as a family containing several ‘member’ attitudes. In case of various topics, such as health and world peace, people hold many attitudes instead of single attitude. An attitude system is said to be ‘simple’ if it contains only one or a few attitudes, and ‘complex’ if it is made up of many attitudes.…” |