Arrange the following statements in correct sequence to show how attitude change takes place as per the concept proposed by S. M. Mohsin:
(A) The regard and attraction of target and source towards each other becomes mutual
(B) The target also shows an attitude change
(C) The target of change identifies with the source
(D) The source changes attitude
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (A), (D), (B)
S.M. Mohsin, an Indian psychologist, proposed that attitude change takes place in two steps. The ‘target’ is the person whose attitude is to be changed; the ‘source’ is the person through whose influence it changes.
(C) The target of change identifies with the source — The first step: the target has liking and regard for the source and puts herself/himself in the source’s place.
(A) The regard and attraction of target and source towards each other becomes mutual — Still within the first step, the source must also have a positive attitude towards the target, so the regard and attraction become mutual.
(D) The source changes attitude — In the second step the source herself/himself shows an attitude change by actually changing her/his behaviour towards the attitude object.
(B) The target also shows an attitude change — Observing the source’s changed attitude and behaviour, the target too changes, a kind of imitation or observational learning.
NCERT (2025-26): “Process of Attitude Change … The two-step concept was proposed by S.M. Mohsin, an Indian psychologist. According to him, attitude change takes place in the form of two steps. In the first step, the target of change identifies with the source. The ‘target’ is the person whose attitude is to be changed. The ‘source’ is the person through whose influence the change is to take place. Identification means that the target has liking and regard for the source. S/he puts herself/ himself in the place of the target, and tries to feel like her/him. The source must also have a positive attitude towards the target, and the regard and attraction becomes mutual. In the second step, the source herself/himself shows an attitude change, by actually changing her/him behaviour towards the attitude object. Observing the source’s changed attitude and behaviour, the target also shows an attitude change through behaviour. This is a kind of imitation or observational learning.…” |