In Heider's concept of balance, attitude change takes place in the following order:
A state of imbalance among the P-O, O-X and P-X attitudes -> ______ -> The attitude changes in the direction of balance
Which of the following fills the blank?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The imbalance is felt as logically uncomfortable
Option (1) The imbalance is felt as logically uncomfortable — Correct. In the concept of balance, imbalance among the three attitudes is <strong>logically uncomfortable</strong>. This discomfort is why the attitude moves towards balance.
Option (2) The person P first identifies with the other person O — Incorrect. Identifying with another person is the first step of S.M. Mohsin's two-step concept, where the target identifies with the source.
Option (3) All three sides of the P-O-X triangle turn positive — Incorrect. All three sides being positive is a state of balance. It is where the change ends up.
Option (4) The P-X attitude is felt as extreme and central — Incorrect. Extreme and central attitudes are more difficult to change. This feature of an attitude does not explain why imbalance leads to a change.
NCERT (2026-27): “Process of Attitude Change … “The basic idea is that an attitude changes if there is a state of imbalance between the P-O attitude, O-X attitude, and P-X attitude. This is because imbalance is logically uncomfortable. Therefore, the attitude changes in the direction of balance.” |