Using Heider's P-O-X triangle, identify the situation that is the odd one out.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Priya likes Kavita; Kavita dislikes dowry; Priya dislikes dowry.
Option (1) Ravi likes Amit; Amit likes yoga; Ravi dislikes yoga. — Incorrect. Ravi likes Amit (P-O positive) and Amit likes yoga (O-X positive), but Ravi dislikes yoga (P-X negative). <strong>Two positives and one negative make the triangle imbalanced</strong>, so one attitude will have to change.
Option (2) Priya likes Kavita; Kavita dislikes dowry; Priya dislikes dowry. — Correct. Priya likes Kavita (P-O positive), and both dislike dowry (O-X and P-X negative). <strong>Two negatives and one positive give balance</strong>, so no attitude needs to change. The other three triangles are imbalanced, which makes this one the odd one out.
Option (3) Meena dislikes Sunita; Sunita likes cricket; Meena likes cricket. — Incorrect. Meena dislikes Sunita (P-O negative), while both of them like cricket (O-X and P-X positive). Again <strong>two sides are positive and one is negative</strong>, so this triangle is imbalanced.
Option (4) Sohan dislikes Arun; Arun dislikes smoking; Sohan dislikes smoking. — Incorrect. Sohan dislikes Arun, and both dislike smoking, so all three sides are negative. They agree about smoking, yet <strong>a triangle with all three sides negative is imbalanced</strong>.
NCERT (2026-27): “Process of Attitude Change … “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.” |