When a famous film actress pledges her eyes for donation after death, it is observed that there is a surge in the number of people doing the same. What factor influences this change in people's attitude?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Attractiveness
Option (1) Rational appeal — Incorrect. A rational appeal is a feature of the message: it points to practical gains, as when an advertisement says a pressure cooker saves cooking gas. The actress gives no reasons; people follow her because of who she is.
Option (2) Attractiveness — Correct. Source credibility and attractiveness are the two source characteristics that affect attitude change. Sales of some products rise when they are publicised not necessarily by experts but by popular public figures. A famous actress is such an attractive source, so many people copy her pledge.
Option (3) Self-esteem — Incorrect. Self-esteem is a target characteristic, a quality of the person whose attitude is being changed. The question asks what about the actress brings the change, not what in the people makes them change.
Option (4) Persuasibility — Incorrect. Persuasibility, too, is a quality of the target: how easily a person can be persuaded. It belongs to the people who follow, not to the actress who sets the example.
NCERT (2025-26): “Factors that Influence Attitude Change … Source characteristics : Source credibility and attractiveness are two features that affect attitude change. Attitudes are more likely to change when the message comes from a highly credible source rather than from a low-credible source. For example, adults who are planning to buy a laptop are more convinced by a computer engineer who points out the special features of a particular brand of laptop, than they would be by a schoolchild who might give the same information.…” “…In the case of some products such as cars, sales may increase if they are publicised, not necessarily by experts, but by popular public figures.…” “…Target characteristics : Qualities of the target, such as persuasibility, strong prejudices, self-esteem, and intelligence influence the likelihood and extent of attitude change.…” |