Ira and her cousin Dhruv grew up in the same town. In Class 7, both of them disliked Science. In Class 8, Ira moved to a new school. Her Science teacher there, Mrs. Rao, was warm, patient and kind, and Ira looked forward to her classes. By Class 9, Ira liked Science about as strongly as she had once disliked it. Dhruv's Science teacher was harsh and often impatient, and Dhruv still dislikes the subject. Their grandmother says the two children were just born with these likes and dislikes.
The grandmother feels the cousins were just born with their likes and dislikes. Which of the following best judges her view?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Limited, since genetic factors influence attitudes only indirectly, along with learning
Option (1) Correct, since genetic factors influence attitudes directly, apart from learning — Incorrect. A few studies do show an inborn aspect of attitudes, but its effect is indirect. It also works together with learning. Ira's change after Mrs. Rao's classes shows learning at work.
Option (2) Limited, since genetic factors influence attitudes only indirectly, along with learning — Correct. Attitudes are mainly learned, through one's own experiences and through interaction with others. Genetic factors play a part, but only indirectly, along with learning. Ira came to like Science through a kind teacher, so "just born with it" is a limited view.
Option (3) Correct, since genetic factors influence attitudes directly, and learning only adds to them — Incorrect. This makes genes the direct cause and learning a small extra. The roles are reversed: learning is the main route, and genetic factors act only indirectly.
Option (4) Limited, since genetic factors influence attitudes only in early years, before learning — Incorrect. Genetic factors do not work alone in an early period before learning starts. They act along with learning, and only indirectly. Both cousins disliked Science at first, and their later attitudes followed their different teachers.
NCERT (2026-27): “Attitude Formation “In general, attitudes are learned through one’s own experiences, and through interaction with others. There are a few research studies that show some sort of inborn aspect of attitudes, but such genetic factors influence attitudes only indirectly, along with learning. Therefore, most social psychologists have focused on the conditions which lead to the learning of attitudes.” |