Riya found Chemistry dull in Class X. In Class XI, Mrs. Iyer, a kind and patient teacher who explains clearly and treats every student with respect, began teaching Chemistry. Riya admired her many good qualities, and by the end of the year she looked forward to every Chemistry class. Which process of attitude formation best explains Riya's new attitude towards Chemistry?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Learning attitudes by association
Option (1) Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms — Incorrect. Group or cultural norms are unwritten rules that people are expected to follow, and attitudes form as these rules become part of us. No group rule about Chemistry is at work in Riya's case.
Option (2) Learning attitudes by being rewarded or punished — Incorrect. Here an attitude forms because showing it brings praise or reward, or helps avoid punishment. Nobody rewards Riya for liking Chemistry, so this does not fit.
Option (3) Learning attitudes through modelling (observing others) — Incorrect. In modelling, a person takes up an attitude by watching others being praised or rewarded for holding it. Riya does not copy anyone's view of Chemistry; her liking grows from her teacher's qualities.
Option (4) Learning attitudes by association — Correct. Riya sees many good qualities in her teacher, and these get linked to the subject the teacher teaches. A positive attitude learned through such a link is learning by association.
NCERT (2026-27): “Process of Attitude Formation … |