Understanding Balance Theory and Examples
Balance theory is a psychological theory aimed at understanding how relationships amongst people affect their individual behavior. It is an important concept in social psychology, as it helps us to understand how people interact with each other and how their relationships are formed and maintained. The theory was developed by Fritz Heider, an Austrian-American psychologist, in the 1950s. The basic idea behind balance theory is that people strive for cognitive balance in their relationships. This means that people try to create a sense of harmony and stability, by making sure that their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors are in line with each other. This balance is sought by people in order to reduce the uncertainty and ambiguity that comes with interacting with others. The theory is based on three basic principles:
- Equivalence: This principle states that people tend to seek balance by creating an equal relationship between two parties. For example, if one person expresses positive feelings towards another, the other person will reciprocate with positive feelings in order to create a balanced relationship.
- Commitment: This principle states that people tend to remain committed to their beliefs and attitudes, even if their behavior is not in line with them. This is because people have a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility to their beliefs and attitudes. For example, if someone believes that a certain behavior is wrong, they will still maintain that belief even if they act differently.
- Consistency: This principle states that people strive for consistency between their beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. This means that if a person believes one thing, they should also act in line with that belief. For example, if someone believes that honesty is important, they should behave in a way that is honest and consistent with that belief.
Balance theory is a useful concept for understanding how people interact with each other and how relationships are formed and maintained. It helps us to understand how people strive for harmony and stability in their relationships and why they remain committed to their beliefs and attitudes. For further information, see: