Attitude, Prejudice and Stereotype — Important Questions

Classical conditioning

Step 1: Classical conditioning involves learning through association. Step 2: The child initially has no attitude towards the neighbour. Step 3: By repeatedly seeing the parent's negative reactions associated with the neighbour, the child learns to link the neighbour with negativity. Step 4: This is learning by association, which is the hallmark of classical conditioning. Step 5: Operant conditioning involves rewards/punishments, not just observation. Cognitive evaluation involves consciously thinking about pros and cons. Social comparison involves comparing with peers. So the correct answer i

By observing their own behaviour to infer their feelings

Step 1: Bem's Self-Perception Theory is unique because it says we look at our own behaviour to understand our attitudes. Step 2: When we are uncertain about how we feel, we observe what we do and then decide what we must feel. Step 3: For example, if you help someone repeatedly, you conclude you must like them. Step 4: Option A describes social comparison theory. Option B describes operant conditioning. Option D describes cognitive evaluation. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is observing one's own behaviour to infer feelings.

A person identifies a discrepancy between two attitudes or between attitude and behaviour

Step 1: The chapter defines cognitive dissonance as the discomfort felt when there is inconsistency. Step 2: This inconsistency is either between two held attitudes or between an attitude and a behaviour. Step 3: Example: A smoker (behaviour) knows smoking causes cancer (attitude) – this conflict creates dissonance. Step 4: Option A is wrong – dissonance requires a conflict, not unrelated beliefs. Option C describes persuasion. Option D describes modeling. Step 5: The correct answer is the discrepancy between attitudes or attitude and behaviour.

A person who believes in healthy eating but regularly eats junk food

Step 1: Cognitive dissonance requires a conflict between attitude and behaviour (or between two attitudes). Step 2: Option B shows a clear conflict – the attitude is 'healthy eating is good' but the behaviour is 'eating junk food.' Step 3: Option A shows attitude and behaviour in harmony – no dissonance. Step 4: Option C shows attitude (dislike) and behaviour (avoidance) in harmony – no dissonance. Step 5: Option D is an example of modeling, not dissonance. Hence Option B is the correct example of cognitive dissonance.