In an attitude change, when the change is in the same direction as the existing attitude (for example, a positive attitude may become more positive, or a negative attitude may become more negative), this is called :
In an attitude change, when the change is in the same direction as the existing attitude (for example, a positive attitude may become more positive, or a negative attitude may become more negative), this is called :
Options
Official answer
Correct option: (A) Congruency — when attitude change strengthens the existing direction (more positive becomes more positive, more negative becomes more negative), it is called congruent attitude change.
Marking scheme
- 1.1 mark: correct option (A) Congruency.
Hint
Same direction, more intense = congruent; opposite direction = incongruent. The question describes 'more positive becoming more positive' — same direction.
Quick oral answer
When attitude change happens in the same direction as before — positive getting more positive, or negative getting more negative — it is called congruent change, option (A).
Common mistakes
- 1.Confusing congruent change (same direction, more intense) with incongruent change (opposite direction, reversal).
- 2.Selecting 'constancy' by misreading the question as describing no change, when it actually describes intensification.
Analysis and explanation
This is a direct definitional recall question about the two types of attitude change.
Why A is correct:
NCERT distinguishes two types of attitude change: congruent change, where the change occurs in the same direction as the existing attitude (intensifying it), and incongruent change, where the change occurs in the opposite direction (reversing it). The question's example — a positive attitude becoming more positive — is the textbook definition of congruent change.
Why the distractors are wrong:
- Constancy (B) would imply no change at all, but the question describes a definite shift in intensity, not stability.
- Incongruency (C) is the opposite concept — a change in the OPPOSITE direction of the existing attitude, not the same direction.
- Inconstancy (D) is not a standard term used for attitude change in this framework and is a distractor with no defined meaning here.
Interesting facts
Congruent attitude change is generally easier to achieve than incongruent change because it does not require overcoming existing cognitive commitment — it only reinforces what a person already believes.
Persuasive communication (advertising, political campaigns) often targets congruent change first, as strengthening existing favourable attitudes is more efficient than reversing unfavourable ones.
Question details
Q14 of 33 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 12
- Subject
- Psychology
- Year
- 2026
- Section
- Section A
- Marks
- 1
- Type
- MCQ
- Chapter
- Attitude and Social Cognition
- Topic
- Attitude Change – Congruent Change
- Bloom's level
- understand
- Syllabus topic
- Unit 6: Attitude and Social Cognition — Types of Attitude Change: Congruent and Incongruent Change
- Author
- CBSE
- Reviewed by
- Padhantu Academic Team
Spotted a mistake or something unclear?
Tell us and we will fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between congruent and incongruent attitude change?
Congruent change occurs in the same direction as the existing attitude (intensifying it), while incongruent change occurs in the opposite direction, reversing or weakening the original attitude.
Which type of attitude change is easier to bring about?
Congruent change is generally easier because it reinforces attitudes a person already holds, requiring less cognitive resistance than incongruent change, which asks a person to reverse an existing belief.