Consider the following statements about attitudes, beliefs and values…

Consider the following statements about attitudes, beliefs and values:

(A) Attitudes provide a background that makes it easier for a person to decide how to act in new situations.
(B) Values are formed when a particular belief or attitude becomes an inseparable part of the person's outlook on life.
(C) Because they become part of a person's outlook on life, values are easy to change.
(D) Beliefs form the ground on which attitudes stand, such as belief in democracy as a political ideology.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → A, B and D only

(A) Attitudes provide a background that makes it easier for a person to decide how to act in new situations. — Correct. This is the purpose of an attitude. It acts as a ready guide, so a person knows how to act in a situation met for the first time.

(B) Values are formed when a particular belief or attitude becomes an inseparable part of the person's outlook on life. — Correct. A value forms when a belief or attitude becomes an inseparable part of one's outlook on life.

(C) Because they become part of a person's outlook on life, values are easy to change. — Incorrect. The direction is reversed. Since a value becomes part of one's outlook, values are difficult to change.

(D) Beliefs form the ground on which attitudes stand, such as belief in democracy as a political ideology. — Correct. Beliefs are the cognitive component of attitudes. They are the ground on which attitudes stand, like belief in God or in democracy.

NCERT (2026-27): “NATURE AND COMPONENTS OF ATTITUDES …
Attitudes have to be distinguished from two other closely related concepts, namely, beliefs and values. Beliefs refer to the cognitive component of attitudes, and form the ground on which attitudes stand, such as belief in God, or belief in democracy as a political ideology. Values are attitudes or beliefs that contain a ‘should’ or ‘ought’ aspect, such as moral or ethical values. One example of a value is the idea that one should work hard, or that one should always be honest, because honesty is the best policy. Values are formed when a particular belief or attitude becomes an inseparable part of the person’s outlook on life. Consequently, values are difficult to change.”

“… We find that attitudes provide a background that makes it easier for a person to decide how to act in new”

“Box 6.1 situations. For example, our attitude towards foreigners may indirectly provide a mental ‘layout’ or ‘blueprint’ for the way in which we should behave whenever we meet one.”