Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms, as in Kavya's tem…

Kavya, 10, lives with her parents in a joint family in Jaipur. Every morning her father touches the feet of her grandparents, and relatives praise him for it. Soon Kavya, too, starts greeting elders with respect. During Diwali, families in her neighbourhood offer sweets and flowers at the local temple. The children are expected to join in, and elders approve when they do. Over the years, Kavya comes to feel a warm devotion while doing so. Her elder brother Arjun has never met a scientist. He reads the life stories of great scientists on the Internet and develops a positive attitude towards hard work.

Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms, as in Kavya's temple behaviour, may be an example of which forms of learning?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Association, reward or punishment, and modelling

Option (1) Association and modelling only — Incorrect. Association and modelling are both present, but this leaves out reward or punishment. Elders approving the children is a reward.

Option (2) Reward or punishment and modelling only — Incorrect. Reward and modelling are both present, but this leaves out association. Devotion becomes linked with the act of offering at the temple.

Option (3) Association and reward or punishment only — Incorrect. Association and reward are both present, but this leaves out modelling. Kavya also watches others make offerings.

Option (4) Association, reward or punishment, and modelling — Correct. Learning through norms may be an example of <strong>all three forms</strong>: association, reward or punishment, and modelling. Kavya links the offering with devotion, sees others do it and is approved for joining in.

NCERT (2026-27): “Process of Attitude Formation …
• Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms : Very often, we learn attitudes through the norms of our group or culture. Norms are unwritten rules about behaviour that everyone is supposed to show under specific circumstances. Over time, these norms may become part of our social cognition, in the form of attitudes. Learning attitudes through group or cultural norms may actually be an example of all three forms of learning described above — learning through association, reward or punishment, and modelling. For example, offering money, sweets, fruit and flowers in a place of worship is a normative behaviour in some religions. When individuals see that such behaviour is shown by others, is expected and socially approved, they may ultimately develop a positive attitude towards such behaviour and the associated feelings of devotion.”