Worksheet Solutions: Attitude and Social Cognition | Psychology Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: Attitudes have three components: the ______ component, the ______ component, and the ______ component.
Ans: Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive
Attitudes have three components: the Affective component (emotional reactions), the Behavioral component (observable actions), and the Cognitive component (thoughts and beliefs about the attitude object).

Q2: ________ refers to selfless behavior aimed at helping others.
Ans: Altruism
Altruism refers to selfless behavior aimed at helping others, driven by genuine concern for their well-being rather than personal gain.

Q3: ________ refers to the process of forming impressions of other people.
Ans: Social perception
Social perception is the process of forming impressions of other people based on their behaviors, traits, and other available information.

Q4: ________ involves how individuals interpret and process social information.
Ans: Social cognition
Social cognition involves how individuals interpret and process social information, including how they perceive, remember, and interpret information about others in social situations.

Q5: ________ is the tendency to act in a particular way towards the attitude object.
Ans: Behavioral component
The Behavioral component of attitudes is the tendency to act in a particular way towards the attitude object, reflecting one's attitudes through actions or intentions.

Q6: Attitudes can be formed through direct experience with the object, known as ________.
Ans: Direct contact
Attitudes can be formed through direct experience with the object, known as Direct contact, where personal interaction shapes one's attitude towards a specific person or thing.

Q7: ________ refers to the mental discomfort experienced when belief contradicts behavior.
Ans: Cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when belief contradicts behavior, leading individuals to seek consistency between their beliefs and actions.

Q8: ________ refers to changing attitudes through communication.
Ans: Persuasion
Persuasion refers to changing attitudes through communication, employing various techniques to influence people's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.

Q9: Prejudice can arise from economic competition, leading to ________ of certain groups taking away jobs.
Ans: Scapegoating
Prejudice can arise from economic competition, leading to Scapegoating—blaming and targeting a specific group for societal issues, such as job scarcity, without valid reasons.

Q10: ________ refers to changing attitudes through exposure to information.
Ans: Exposure learning
Exposure learning refers to changing attitudes through exposure to information, where repeated exposure to a stimulus can lead to a more favorable attitude or perception over time.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: Attitudes can be learned through association.
Reason: Positive attitudes can be formed due to liking the teacher who teaches a subject.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and related.
(b) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(c) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
Attitudes can indeed be learned through association. If a person associates positive experiences or feelings with a particular subject taught by a teacher, they are likely to develop a positive attitude toward that subject. Liking the teacher can create a positive association, reinforcing a positive attitude toward the subject being taught.

Q2: Assertion: Socialization plays a significant role in attitude formation.
Reason: Social norms and values can influence an individual's attitudes.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and related.
(b) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(c) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
Socialization, which includes the influence of family, peers, and societal norms, significantly shapes an individual's attitudes. Social norms and values are integral parts of socialization and play a crucial role in shaping attitudes. Individuals often adopt attitudes in line with the prevailing social norms and values they are exposed to during the socialization process.

Q3: Assertion: Social facilitation leads to enhanced performance on complex tasks.
Reason: Social facilitation is solely related to well-practiced tasks.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and related.
(b) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(c) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Ans: (b)
Social facilitation typically leads to enhanced performance on simple or well-practiced tasks, not complex ones. When people are in the presence of others, they tend to perform better on tasks they are already skilled at. However, the presence of others can actually hinder performance on complex or novel tasks due to increased pressure and evaluation apprehension.

Q4: Assertion: Altruism and pro-social behavior are the same concepts.
Reason: Pro-social behavior always involves selfless acts.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and related.
(b) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(c) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Ans: (b)
Altruism and pro-social behavior are related concepts but not exactly the same. Altruism specifically refers to selfless acts aimed at helping others, without any expectation of personal gain. Pro-social behavior, on the other hand, includes a broader range of positive actions that benefit others or society, which might include acts with some personal benefits, social approval, or other positive outcomes.

Q5: Assertion: Attitudes can be changed through cognitive dissonance.
Reason: Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort experienced when beliefs align with behavior.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and related.
(b) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(c) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
Attitudes can indeed be changed through cognitive dissonance, which is the mental discomfort experienced when beliefs or attitudes conflict with behavior. This discomfort often leads individuals to change their attitudes to align with their behavior, resolving the cognitive dissonance. So, both the assertion and the reason are correct and interconnected.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Define social cognition.
Ans: Social cognition is the process of perceiving, interpreting, and understanding the social world around us, including how we think about ourselves and others, make judgments, and interact in social situations.

Q2: What is the fundamental attribution error?
Ans: The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to attribute others' behavior to internal traits or characteristics, rather than considering situational factors.

Q3: Explain the concept of stereotypes.
Ans: Stereotypes are oversimplified or inaccurate beliefs about a particular group, often based on traits or characteristics attributed to the entire group.

Q4: What is social facilitation?
Ans: Social facilitation is the phenomenon where the presence of others enhances an individual's performance on simple or well-practiced tasks.

Q5: Define altruism.
Ans: Altruism refers to selfless behavior aimed at helping others without expecting anything in return.

Q6: What does the term 'valence' refer to in attitudes?
Ans: Valence in attitudes indicates whether the attitude towards an object is positive or negative.

Q7: Explain the concept of cognitive dissonance.
Ans: Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when a person's belief or attitude contradicts their behavior, leading to attitude change.

Q8: What is social loafing?
Ans: Social loafing is the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group than they would if working alone, often due to diffusion of responsibility.

Q9: Define impression formation.
Ans: Impression formation is the process of forming an overall impression of someone based on available information, such as physical appearance and behavior.

Q10: What is prejudice?
Ans: Prejudice is a negative attitude or feeling towards a specific group, often based on stereotypes and leading to discriminatory behavior.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the components of attitude.
Ans: Attitude comprises three components:

• Affective Component: It involves emotions and feelings towards the attitude object.
• Behavioral Component: It represents the way one tends to act or behave towards the attitude object.
• Cognitive Component: It involves beliefs and thoughts about the attitude object.

Q2: Describe the factors that influence attitude formation.
Ans: Attitude formation is influenced by factors like direct contact, personal values, socialization, and media exposure. Additionally, family, school environment, reference groups, and personal experiences shape attitudes.

Q3: Discuss the strategies for handling prejudice.
Ans: Strategies for handling prejudice include education to promote awareness and understanding, intergroup contact to reduce stereotypes, promoting empathy, and legislation to enforce equal rights. Additionally, fostering positive intergroup relationships and encouraging critical thinking can combat prejudice.

Q4: Explain the concept of social facilitation and its effects on performance.
Ans: Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon where people tend to perform better on simple tasks and worse on complex tasks when in the presence of others. The presence of an audience or co-actors can enhance arousal, leading to improved performance in tasks an individual is confident in, while hindering performance in more complex tasks due to increased pressure and distraction.

Q5: Describe the factors influencing pro-social behavior.
Ans: Pro-social behavior is influenced by factors such as empathy, altruism, social norms, mood, and situation-specific cues. Additionally, cultural values, upbringing, and individual differences in personality traits play roles in determining pro-social behavior.

Q6: Discuss the factors that can lead to prejudice.
Ans: Prejudice is a negative attitude or stereotype towards individuals or groups based on their perceived characteristics, such as race, religion, gender, or nationality. Several factors contribute to the development and perpetuation of prejudice. Some of these factors include:

• Socialization and Upbringing: Prejudice can be learned through socialization processes, such as family, peers, and cultural influences. Children often adopt the attitudes and beliefs of their parents and significant others, leading to the perpetuation of prejudice.
• Stereotyping and Categorization: Human beings have a natural tendency to categorize people and things based on observable characteristics. Stereotypes, which are generalized beliefs about a particular group, can lead to prejudice when individuals apply these beliefs to judge and form negative attitudes towards others.
• Ingroup and Outgroup Bias: Ingroup bias refers to the tendency to favor one's own group or social category over others. This bias can lead to prejudice towards outgroup members, as individuals may perceive them as different or threatening.

It is important to recognize and challenge these factors in order to reduce and eliminate prejudice in society.

Q7: Explain the concept of impression formation.
Ans: Impression formation refers to the process by which individuals form initial judgments or evaluations of others based on limited information, such as physical appearance, behaviors, or verbal cues. It involves making inferences and assumptions about a person's traits, characteristics, and intentions.
The process of impression formation can be influenced by several factors:

• Physical Appearance: People often make initial judgments based on a person's physical appearance, including facial features, body language, and grooming. These judgments may extend to assumptions about a person's personality, competence, or trustworthiness.
• Nonverbal Cues: Nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice, provide important information for impression formation. People tend to pay attention to cues that convey emotions, confidence, or attentiveness.
• Verbal Communication: The content, style, and tone of a person's verbal communication can shape impressions. People may form judgments based on factors such as vocabulary, speech patterns, and the clarity and coherence of a person's communication.

It is important to recognize that initial impressions may be subject to biases and inaccuracies, as they are based on limited information. However, these impressions can have a lasting impact on subsequent interactions and relationships.

Q8: Describe the process of attitude change.
Ans: Attitude change can occur through persuasion, where people are influenced by logical arguments or emotional appeals. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that inconsistency between beliefs and actions motivates attitude change. Additionally, social influence, personal experience, and education can lead to shifts in attitudes over time.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the role of social cognition in shaping attitudes and behaviors.
Ans: Social cognition refers to the mental processes that individuals use to interpret, understand, and interact with the social world. It plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and behaviors by influencing how individuals perceive, process, and respond to social information.

• Attitudes are the evaluations or judgments that individuals hold about people, objects, or ideas. Social cognition helps shape attitudes by influencing how individuals perceive and interpret information about these targets. For example, if someone has a positive attitude towards a particular political party, they may be more likely to interpret information about that party in a way that confirms their existing beliefs.
• Behaviors, on the other hand, are the actions individuals engage in. Social cognition influences behaviors by guiding the way individuals process and interpret social cues and norms. It helps individuals make sense of the social environment and determine appropriate courses of action. For example, if someone perceives that their friends disapprove of a certain behavior, they may be less likely to engage in that behavior themselves.

Overall, social cognition plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and behaviors by influencing how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social information. It helps individuals make sense of the social world and guide their actions accordingly.

Q2: Discuss the impact of media-related influences on attitude formation and change.
Ans: The media plays a significant role in shaping attitudes and influencing attitude formation and change. Media-related influences can include various forms of media such as television, movies, social media, and news outlets.

• One way media influences attitudes is through the process of agenda-setting. The media has the power to highlight certain issues, topics, or perspectives, which can influence what individuals perceive as important or relevant. By selectively presenting information, the media can shape attitudes by framing certain issues in a particular way.
• Media can also influence attitudes through the process of social learning. People often learn by observing others, and the media provides a platform for individuals to observe and model behaviors and attitudes. For example, if a popular television show portrays a character engaging in a certain behavior and presenting it as desirable, viewers may be more likely to adopt similar attitudes or behaviors.
• Additionally, media influences attitudes through the process of persuasion. Advertisements, for example, are designed to influence attitudes and convince individuals to adopt certain beliefs or behaviors. The media can present information in a persuasive manner, using tactics such as emotional appeals, expert endorsements, and repetition to shape attitudes.

Overall, media-related influences have a significant impact on attitude formation and change. The media can shape attitudes through agenda-setting, social learning, and persuasive techniques. It is important for individuals to critically evaluate the media they consume and be aware of its potential influence on their attitudes and beliefs.

Q3: Explain the phenomenon of social loafing and its implications for group work.
Ans: Social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone. It occurs when individuals feel their individual contributions are less noticeable or necessary within a group context.

• The phenomenon of social loafing can have several implications for group work. Firstly, it can lead to reduced overall group performance. When individuals exert less effort, the group as a whole may not achieve its full potential and may produce lower-quality outcomes.
• Social loafing can also lead to a decrease in motivation among group members. If individuals believe their efforts will not be recognized or valued within the group, they may become less motivated to contribute and may adopt a "free-rider" mentality, relying on others to carry the workload.
• Furthermore, social loafing can contribute to a decrease in accountability within the group. When individuals feel their contributions are less noticeable, they may feel less responsible for the overall outcome. This can lead to a diffusion of responsibility, where individuals do not feel personally accountable for the group's success or failure.

To mitigate the effects of social loafing, it is important to promote individual accountability and create a supportive and inclusive group environment. Setting clear goals, establishing individual roles and responsibilities, and providing feedback and recognition for individual contributions can help reduce social loafing and enhance group performance.

Q4: Discuss the role of social influence in shaping attitudes and behaviors.
Ans: Social influence refers to the process by which individuals are influenced by others' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It plays a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors by providing individuals with information, norms, and social cues that guide their thoughts and actions.

• Social influence can shape attitudes through the process of conformity. Conformity refers to the tendency to adjust one's attitudes or behaviors to align with those of a group or social norm. Individuals may conform due to the desire to be accepted, to avoid social rejection, or to gain social approval. As a result, attitudes can be influenced by the attitudes of others within a social group.
• Behaviors can also be shaped through social influence, particularly through the process of social modeling. Social modeling involves observing and imitating the behaviors of others. When individuals see others engaging in certain behaviors and receiving positive outcomes or rewards, they may be more likely to adopt those behaviors themselves.
• Social influence can also shape attitudes and behaviors through the process of persuasion. Persuasion involves the deliberate attempt to change attitudes or behaviors through the use of communication techniques. It can be influenced by factors such as the credibility of the persuader, the emotional appeals used, and the strength of the arguments presented.

Overall, social influence plays a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors. It can occur through the processes of conformity, social modeling, and persuasion. Understanding social influence is important for understanding how individuals are influenced by others and how attitudes and behaviors can be changed or influenced in a social context.