Question

According to the concept of balance proposed by Fritz Heider, imbalance is found when:

1. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative.
2. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative and one side is positive.
3. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive and one side is negative.
4. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive.

Options

• (i) and (ii) only

• (ii) and (iv) only

• (i) and (iii) only

• (ii) only

Answer 1

(i) and (iii) only

Explanation:

In Heider’s P-O-X model, imbalance is defined as the negative product of the three relationship indications. This happens when all three sides are negative, or when two sides are positive, and one is negative, resulting in psychological tension that prompts a shift in attitude.