Question

Who proposed the two-step concept of attitude change?

• A. Fritz Heider
• B. Leon Festinger
• C. S. M. Mohsin
• D. Richard Lapiere

Hint:

Think of the Indian psychologist linked with identification with the source first, then adoption of its attitude.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks who proposed a two-step idea of how attitudes change. Attitude change means a person moves from an old view to a new one, usually because of influence from another person or source.

Step 2: Recall the concept:
In the Indian psychology literature, the psychologist S. M. Mohsin described attitude change as happening in two steps. In the first step the person starts liking or identifying with the source of influence. In the second step the person takes on the attitude of that source.

Step 3: Check option (1) Fritz Heider.
Heider is known for balance theory. It says people like their attitudes, feelings and relations to stay in harmony. It is a theory of balance, not a two-step process of change. So (1) is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (2) Leon Festinger.
Festinger proposed cognitive dissonance theory. It says people feel discomfort when two beliefs clash, and they change an attitude to remove that discomfort. This is a one-factor tension idea, not a two-step concept. So (2) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (3) S. M. Mohsin.
Mohsin is the name linked with the two-step concept of attitude change, first identification with the source and then adoption of the source's attitude. So (3) is correct.

Step 6: Check option (4) Richard Lapiere.
Lapiere is famous for his study on the gap between stated attitude and real behaviour toward Chinese couples at hotels. It is about attitude and behaviour, not about attitude change in two steps. So (4) is wrong.

Final Answer:
The two-step concept of attitude change is credited to S. M. Mohsin, which is option (3).\[ \boxed{3} \]