NCERT Class 12 Psychology Psychology: Chapter 6 — Attitude and Social Cognition
This chapter from the NCERT Class 12 Psychology textbook introduces the concept of attitudes and social cognition. It explains that social psychology studies how individuals' behaviour is influenced by others and the social environment. Attitudes are defined as ways of thinking about specific topics or people, comprising cognitive, affective, and behavioural components (A-B-C model). The chapter explores how attitudes are formed and changed, the relationship between attitudes and behaviour, and touches upon prejudice and discrimination. Understanding these social-cognitive processes is crucial for explaining diverse human behaviours beyond common sense. This chapter helps students grasp the fundamental principles of social psychology relevant to CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Book | Psychology |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Attitude and Social Cognition |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 532 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the definition and components of attitudes (A-B-C model).
- Explain how attitudes are formed and changed.
- Describe the relationship between attitudes and behaviour.
- Identify the role of social cognition in understanding social behaviour.
- Recognize concepts like prejudice and discrimination.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Attitude | A state of mind or set of views regarding some topic, with evaluative, emotional, and behavioural components. |
| Social Psychology | The branch of psychology investigating how individuals' behaviour is affected by others and the social environment. |
| Social Behaviour | Behaviour that takes place in the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. |
| Cognitive Aspect | The thought component of an attitude. |
| Affective Aspect | The emotional component of an attitude. |
| Behavioural (Conative) Aspect | The tendency to act in a particular way with regard to the attitude object. |
| Attitude Object | The specific topic or person about which an attitude is held. |
| Prejudice | A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. |
| Discrimination | The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. |
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Practice questions
- What are the three components of an attitude? Answer: The three components are cognitive (thoughts), affective (emotions), and behavioural (tendency to act).
- Define social psychology. Answer: Social psychology is the branch of psychology that studies how individuals' behaviour is influenced by others and the social environment.
- What is an 'attitude object'? Answer: An attitude object is the specific topic or person about which an attitude is held.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT one of the A-B-C components of an attitude?
Explanation: The A-B-C components of an attitude stand for Affective, Behavioural, and Cognitive aspects. Conceptual is not part of this model.
Q2. Social psychology primarily investigates:
Explanation: Social psychology focuses on how social influences shape individual behaviour and thoughts.
Q3. An attitude is described as having an evaluative feature, meaning it can be:
Explanation: Attitudes involve an evaluation of the attitude object, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Q4. The 'behavioural component' of an attitude refers to:
Explanation: The behavioural or conative aspect of an attitude is the predisposition or tendency to act in a particular manner concerning the attitude object.
Q5. According to the text, attitudes are more than just opinions because they include:
Explanation: Attitudes are distinguished from mere opinions by the presence of emotional and action components alongside thoughts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of social psychology?
Social psychology investigates how the behaviour of individuals is affected by others and the social environment.
What are the three components that define an attitude?
An attitude is defined by its cognitive (thoughts), affective (emotions), and behavioural (tendency to act) components.
What is meant by the 'attitude object'?
The attitude object is the specific topic, person, or issue about which an individual holds an attitude.
How does an attitude differ from a simple opinion?
An attitude includes emotional and action components, making it more than just a thought or opinion.
What does the A-B-C model of attitudes represent?
The A-B-C model represents the Affective, Behavioural, and Cognitive components of an attitude.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 Psychology — Psychology — Chapter 6 — Attitude and Social Cognition. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.