Question

According to the concept of balance proposed by Fritz Heider, imbalance is found when:
(i) All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative.
(ii) Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative and one side is positive.
(iii) Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive and one side is negative.
(iv) All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive.

• A. (i) and (ii) only
• B. (ii) and (iv) only
• C. (i) and (iii) only
• D. (ii) only

Hint:

Balance = Product of signs is Positive.
Imbalance = Product of signs is Negative.
Count the number of negative signs: if it is odd (1 or 3), the system is imbalanced.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Fritz Heider's Balance Theory focuses on the relationships between three elements, commonly represented as a triangle involving Person (P), Other (O), and an Object or concept (X). The relationships between these elements can be positive (likes, supports) or negative (dislikes, opposes). The theory suggests that people prefer balanced states over imbalanced ones because balanced states produce psychological stability.

Balance is determined by considering the signs of the relationships around the P-O-X triangle. The product of these relationships' signs determines whether the configuration is balanced or imbalanced:

• Balanced: The product of the three relationship signs is positive.
• Imbalanced: The product of the three relationship signs is negative.

Let's evaluate the given options regarding balance:

1. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative:
   • Sign product: (-1) * (-1) * (-1) = -1
   • This is imbalanced.
2. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative and one side is positive:
   • Sign product: (-1) * (-1) * (+1) = +1
   • This is balanced.
3. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive and one side is negative:
   • Sign product: (+1) * (+1) * (-1) = -1
   • This is imbalanced.
4. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive:
   • Sign product: (+1) * (+1) * (+1) = +1
   • This is balanced.

Based on the examination above:

• Option (i) is correct because all three sides being negative results in an imbalanced situation.
• Option (ii) is incorrect as it is a balanced situation.
• Option (iii) is correct because two positive sides and one negative side result in an imbalanced scenario.
• Option (iv) is incorrect as all positive sides result in balance.

Therefore, the correct answer is: (i) and (iii) only.