Balance theory

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The balance theory is one of the attitude theories in social psychology . Like all attitude theories, it tries to explain why and under what circumstances people change their attitudes.

The theory is based on a 3-person model (A, B, C) in which A, B and C are related to each other and is based on the assumption that these people's attitudes tend to be balanced. If this relationship triangle is not in balance, this manifests itself in discomfort and thus in the tendency to restore the balance. (This behavior describes the typical human need for consistency in social psychology )

The POX model from Heider

The POX model is a generalization of the 3-person model and was proposed by Fritz Heider in 1946 . In this model, the third element is any setting object (e.g. a car).

  • P - person
  • O - other person (other)
  • X - setting object (x-any)

All three elements are connected to one another in a balance triangle via relations . These relations can be positive and negative. There are two types of relations:

  • Unit relation (e.g. possession, proximity, familiarity, ...)
  • Value relation (attitudes such as sympathy / antipathy)

The POX triangle is in balance when the product of relations is positive. The system is always viewed from the perspective of person P.

example

  • Unbalanced
relation attitude
P → X +
P → O +
O → X -

In this example, P likes X and O, but O doesn't like X. Since (+) * (+) * (-) = (-) this triangle is unbalanced. Person P is therefore motivated to restore balance. The following solutions are available to her:

  1. Person P changes their attitude in such a way that they follow O and also evaluate X negatively.
  2. Person P revises his attitude towards O and continues to hold on to the positive relation to X.

After changing the setting of P, the POX triangle could look like this:

  • Balanced
Solution 1 Solution 2
P → X - +
P → O + -
O → X - -

Newcomb's ABX model

The ABX model was introduced in 1953 by Theodor M. Newcomb. It differs from the POX model in that, based on person A, the perceived relations of person B are also inserted into the model. Not only are their own attitudes towards B and X expressed positively or negatively, but also person A's assumption about how person B will evaluate his relations to A and X. In this case, X can be any object (animate or inanimate).

Here, too, balanced and unbalanced structures emerge.

More attitude theories