Specify any two processes, that help in attitude formation and explain how it occurs.
Specify any two processes, that help in attitude formation and explain how it occurs.
Attitudes are learned, not innate, and are formed mainly through two processes:
- Classical conditioning: A neutral object or person is repeatedly paired with a stimulus that already evokes a positive or negative response, so the neutral object acquires the same emotional value. Example: a child who repeatedly sees a brand advertised with cheerful music develops a positive attitude toward that brand.
- Observational learning (modelling): Individuals form attitudes by observing and imitating the attitudes and behaviours of others, especially those they respect or admire, such as parents, teachers, or peers. Example: a child develops a pro-environment attitude after watching a parent recycle diligently.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correctly naming and explaining the first process of attitude formation with an example.
- 21 mark: correctly naming and explaining the second process of attitude formation with an example.
Hint
Pick any two of: classical conditioning, observational learning, instrumental conditioning, family/peer influence — and explain the mechanism, not just the name.
Quick Oral Answer
Attitudes are formed mainly through classical conditioning, where a neutral object gets paired with an already-liked or disliked stimulus, and through observational learning, where we imitate the attitudes shown by influential others like parents and peers.
Analysis & Explanation
Concept:
Attitude formation draws directly on general learning principles. Classical conditioning explains how emotional reactions transfer onto neutral objects through repeated association, while observational learning explains how attitudes spread through modelling of significant others without any direct reinforcement being received personally.
Other valid processes:
Instrumental/operant conditioning (attitudes reinforced through reward, e.g., praise for expressing an approved opinion), family and peer influence, direct instruction, personal experience, and media exposure are also acceptable if explained with a mechanism and example.
Exam trap:
Students often just name a process without explaining 'how it occurs' — the question explicitly asks for the mechanism, so a bare label like 'learning' without describing the conditioning/modelling process loses marks.
Common Mistakes
- 1Naming processes without explaining HOW they lead to attitude formation, losing the 'explain how it occurs' component of the marks.
- 2Confusing attitude formation processes with attitude change processes (e.g., cognitive dissonance is a change mechanism, not a formation process).
Interesting Facts
Attitudes formed through direct personal experience tend to be held with greater confidence and are more resistant to change than attitudes formed only through hearsay.
Children can develop brand and even political attitudes as early as pre-school age purely through repeated exposure and family modelling, before they understand the underlying issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main processes of attitude formation according to NCERT?
NCERT lists learning (classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, observational learning), family and peer group influence, direct instruction, personal experiences, and media/cultural influences as key processes of attitude formation.
How is instrumental conditioning different from classical conditioning in attitude formation?
In classical conditioning, an attitude forms by pairing a neutral object with a stimulus that already evokes a response; in instrumental conditioning, attitudes are formed or strengthened because expressing them is rewarded, e.g., praise for voicing a socially approved opinion.