AT TITUDE AND SOCIAL COGNITION | Class 12 Psychology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
AT TITUDE AND SOCIAL COGNITION – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of AT TITUDE AND SOCIAL COGNITION from Class 12 Psychology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice refers to negative attitudes held towards a particular group, often based on stereotypes—generalized beliefs about the characteristics of that group. These stereotypes form the cognitive component of prejudice, while dislike or hatred constitutes the affective component. Discrimination is the behavioural manifestation, involving differential and often unfair treatment of members of the target group. Prejudice and discrimination often co-occur but can exist independently. For instance, one may hold prejudiced beliefs without acting on them, or discriminate without explicit prejudice. Prejudices can lead to social conflicts and have historically resulted in severe consequences, such as the Holocaust. In Indian society, discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and illness has been prevalent. While discriminatory behaviour can be legally curtailed, changing the underlying prejudiced attitudes is more challenging. Sources of prejudice include learned attitudes through association, reward, modelling, group norms, and media; strong social identity and ingroup bias; scapegoating where majority groups blame minorities for problems; the kernel of truth concept where a few examples reinforce stereotypes; and self-fulfilling prophecy where the target group’s behaviour confirms negative expectations. Understanding these sources is vital for addressing prejudice.
📊 Diagram: No specific diagrams in this section.
🔗 Connection: Leads to 'Strategies for Handling Prejudice' by identifying causes and manifestations of prejudice.
Frequently asked questions
Define attitude. Discuss the components of an attitude.
Attitude is a psychological tendency expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor. It is a learned predisposition to respond in a consistently favorable or unfavorable manner with respect to a given object. The components of an attitude are: 1. Cognitive Component: This involves beliefs, thoughts, and attributes that we associate with an object. 2. Affective Component: This involves feelings or emotions that something evokes. 3. Behavioral Component: This inv
Are attitudes learnt? Explain how?
Yes, attitudes are learnt. They are acquired through various ways such as: 1. Direct Experience: Personal experiences with people, objects, or situations can shape attitudes. 2. Social Learning: Observing others, especially role models like parents and peers, influences attitude formation. 3. Conditioning: Classical and operant conditioning can lead to the development of attitudes. 4. Media and Culture: Exposure to media messages and cultural norms also contribute to learning attitudes.
What are the factors that influence the formation of an attitude?
Several factors influence the formation of an attitude, including: 1. Personal Experiences: Direct interactions with the attitude object. 2. Social Factors: Influence of family, friends, and social groups. 3. Cultural Factors: Traditions, norms, and values of the society. 4. Media Influence: Information and messages received through media. 5. Learning: Through conditioning and observation. 6. Cognitive Processes: How individuals process information and interpret experiences.
Is behaviour always a reflection of one's attitude? Explain with a relevant example.
No, behaviour is not always a reflection of one's attitude. Sometimes, external factors such as social norms, situational constraints, or fear of consequences may prevent a person from acting according to their true attitude. For example, a person may have a positive attitude towards environmental conservation but may not always recycle due to lack of facilities or convenience.
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- SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES | Class 12 Psychology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES for Class 12 Psychology.
- SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES | Class 12 Psychology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES for Class 12 Psychology.
- SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES | Class 12 Psychology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND GROUP PROCESSES for Class 12 Psychology.