PsychologyAttitudes and Social Cognition

Six-year-old Aarav in Lucknow has started to value cleanliness and pu…

Six-year-old Aarav in Lucknow has started to value cleanliness and punctuality, much as his parents do. When he starts school, his teachers' praise makes these attitudes stronger. Which factor best explains how Aarav's attitudes were formed?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Family and school environment

Option (1) Reference groups — Incorrect. Reference groups show the norms of acceptable behaviour. Their pull is strongest at the beginning of adolescence.

Option (2) Family and school environment — Correct. In the early years of life, parents and family shape attitudes, and later the school does. Aarav copies his parents and is then praised by teachers, so this factor fits.

Option (3) Personal experiences — Incorrect. Personal experiences are direct events that bring a drastic change in attitude. Aarav has had no such event.

Option (4) Media-related influences — Incorrect. Media-related influences come from audio-visual media, the Internet and textbooks. Aarav's attitudes come from home and school.

NCERT (2026-27): “Factors that Influence Attitude Formation …
1. Family and School Environment : Particularly in the early years of life, parents and other family members play a significant role in shaping attitude formation. Later, the school environment becomes an important background for attitude formation. Learning of attitudes within the family and school usually takes place by association, through rewards and punishments, and through modelling.”