Balance theory

In the psychology of motivation, balance theory is a theory of attitude change, proposed by Fritz Heider. It conceptualizes the cognitive consistency motive as a drive toward psychological balance. The consistency motive is the urge to maintain one's values and beliefs over time. Heider proposed that 'sentiment' or liking relationships are balanced if the affect valence in a system multiplies out to a positive result. In the psychology of motivation, balance theory is a theory of attitude change, proposed by Fritz Heider. It conceptualizes the cognitive consistency motive as a drive toward psychological balance. The consistency motive is the urge to maintain one's values and beliefs over time. Heider proposed that 'sentiment' or liking relationships are balanced if the affect valence in a system multiplies out to a positive result. In social network analysis, balance theory is the extension proposed by Frank Harary and Dorwin Cartwright. It was the framework for the discussion at a Dartmouth College symposium in September 1975. For example: a Person ( P {displaystyle P} ) who likes ( + {displaystyle +} ) an Other ( O {displaystyle O} ) person will be balanced by the same valence attitude on behalf of the other. Symbolically, P ( + ) > O {displaystyle P(+)>O} and P < ( + ) O {displaystyle P<(+)O} results in psychological balance. This can be extended to things or objects ( X {displaystyle X} ) as well, thus introducing triadic relationships. If a person P {displaystyle P} likes object X {displaystyle X} but dislikes other person O {displaystyle O} , what does P {displaystyle P} feel upon learning that person O {displaystyle O} created the object X {displaystyle X} ? This is symbolized as such: Cognitive balance is achieved when there are three positive links or two negatives with one positive. Two positive links and one negative like the example above creates imbalance or cognitive dissonance.