Attitude Change — Cognitive Dissonance, Persuasion Theories & Resistance

What should you study in Attitude Change?

• Attitude change routes — high involvement (central) vs low (peripheral)
• Reactance theory — boomerang effect of strong persuasion
• Foot-in-the-door & door-in-the-face techniques
• Counter-attitudinal advocacy — induced compliance

How often is Attitude Change asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 3 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: not asked
6. 2021: asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: not asked
9. 2024: asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper IV paper

GS Paper IV is the 250-mark Mains paper on ethics, integrity and aptitude, including case studies. See all 34 Mains GS Paper IV topics.

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