Tuhin had taken a survey where he is required to rate the professional coaching centre that he has enrolled for by using a rating scale. He has given ‘9’ point on a scale of 10 for every statement. Identify the feature of Tuhin’s attitude that is reflected on the rating scale.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Extremeness
Note 1: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, the question can have more than one correct answer, i.e. both Option (2) and Option (1), as explained below.
Option (1) Valence — Also correct. The valence of an attitude tells us whether it is positive or negative on a rating scale: a rating of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale is a positive attitude. Tuhin’s rating of 9 out of 10 on every statement is plainly positive, so the rating scale reflects his positive valence as well.
Option (2) Extremeness — Correct. The extremeness of an attitude indicates how positive or negative an attitude is. On a 5-point scale a rating of 1 or 5 is the most extreme, 2 and 4 less so, and a neutral rating lowest. A rating of 9 on a 10-point scale, given to every statement, shows that Tuhin’s attitude is strongly positive, close to the extreme end.
Option (3) Multiplexity — Incorrect. Simplicity or complexity (multiplexity) refers to how many attitudes there are within a broader attitude. A single rating number does not tell how many member attitudes Tuhin holds about the coaching centre.
Option (4) Centrality — Incorrect. Centrality refers to the role of a particular attitude in the attitude system, how far it influences the other attitudes. A rating scale of this kind does not show that.
Tip for students: A rating tells two things at once: its side of the scale shows the valence, and its distance from the neutral middle shows the extremeness. Where a question stresses the size of the rating, as here, NTA has marked extremeness.
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 02-06-2023 (Slot 3).
NCERT (2025-26): “Nature and Components of Attitudes … Valence (positivity or negativity) : The valence of an attitude tells us whether an attitude is positive or negative towards the attitude object. Suppose an attitude (say, towards nuclear research) has to be expressed on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (Very bad), 2 (Bad), 3 (Neutral — neither good nor bad), and 4 (Good), to 5 (Very good). If an individual rates her/his view towards nuclear research as 4 or 5, this is clearly a positive attitude.…” “Nature and Components of Attitudes … Extremeness : The extremeness of an attitude indicates how positive or negative an attitude is. Taking the nuclear research example given above, a rating of 1 is as extreme as a rating of 5 : they are only in the opposite directions (valence). Ratings of 2 and 4 are less extreme. A neutral attitude, of course, is lowest on extremeness.…” |