At a society meeting held by open show of hands, Kavita raised her ha…

At a society meeting held by open show of hands, Kavita raised her hand for a candidate she did not like. In a later secret ballot, she voted for the candidate she truly preferred. First identify the condition that made her vote match her attitude. Which of the following situations shows the same condition?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Ravi writes his honest view of a teacher on an unsigned feedback form that nobody can trace to him.

Option (1) Sunil, who likes music, joins a choir because he is sure it will make him happy. — Incorrect. Sunil is sure that joining will make him happy. This fits a different condition: the person thinks the behaviour will have a positive consequence, and so intends to do it. Being unseen plays no part here.

Option (2) Ravi writes his honest view of a teacher on an unsigned feedback form that nobody can trace to him. — Correct. In the open vote Kavita was watched, so she acted against her attitude; in the secret ballot no one could see her choice. Attitude and behaviour agree when the behaviour is not being watched or evaluated by others. Ravi's unsigned form gives him the same freedom from being judged.

Option (3) Mala acts on her views because she has thought about them and knows them well. — Incorrect. Mala knows her own views well. This is the condition that the person is aware of her/his attitude. It is about knowing oneself.

Option (4) Tara saves water at home because it is a strong belief at the centre of her values. — Incorrect. Tara's belief is strong and at the centre of her values. This is the condition of a strong attitude with a central place in the attitude system. It concerns the attitude itself.

NCERT (2026-27): “Attitude-Behaviour Relationship
We usually expect behaviour to follow logically from attitudes. However, an individual’s attitudes may not always be exhibited through behaviour. Likewise, one’s actual behaviour may be contrary to one’s attitude towards a particular topic. Psychologists have found that there would be consistency between attitudes and behaviour when :”

“• the attitude is strong, and occupies a central place in the attitude system,”

“• the person is aware of her/his attitude,”

“• there is very little or no external pressure for the person to behave in a particular way. For example, when there is no group pressure to follow a particular norm,”

“• the person’s behaviour is not being watched or evaluated by others, and”

“• the person thinks that the behaviour would have a positive consequence, and therefore, intends to engage in that behaviour.”