Class 12 Psychology - MAHARASHTRA
Attitude and Social Cognition
The chapter 'Attitude and Social Cognition' in Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) Class 12 Psychology explores how we form impressions of others, explain their behavior through attribution, and develop attitudes that shape our social interactions. It covers the components of attitude (ABC model), attitude formation and change, prejudice, and prosocial behavior. This chapter is vital for board exams as it tests both theoretical understanding and real-life application through case-based scenarios and short-answer questions, helping students understand the psychological dynamics of human relationships and social behavior.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Social Cognition
The mental processes involved in understanding, remembering, and using information about other people and our social world.
Attitude (ABC Component)
A learned predisposition to respond in a favorable or unfavorable manner toward a specific object, person, or situation, consisting of Affective (emotional), Behavioral (actions), and Cognitive (beliefs) components.
Attribution
The process of assigning causes to our own and other people's behavior, categorized broadly into internal (dispositional) and external (situational) causes.
Prejudice
An unjustified and usually negative attitude toward a group and its individual members, often leading to discrimination.
Cognitive Dissonance
A state of psychological discomfort that arises when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values simultaneously, motivating them to change one to reduce discomfort.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 12 Psychology board exam, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks with options. Common question types include short notes on the ABC components of attitude, explaining attribution errors, differentiating between prejudice and discrimination, and descriptive questions on attitude change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?
Prejudice is an attitude or emotional bias (usually negative) toward a group, whereas discrimination refers to the actual behavior or actions taken against members of that group based on prejudice.
What is the Fundamental Attribution Error?
It is the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition (internal factors).
How can attitudes be changed?
Attitudes can be changed through persuasion, cognitive dissonance, peer influence, and positive intergroup contact that challenges existing stereotypes.
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