Heider's Balance Theory
Heider's Balance Theory is a psychological concept that explains how individuals strive for harmony in their relationships and attitudes. It suggests that people prefer balanced states where their feelings about others and their opinions align. For example, if a person likes Alice and Bob likes Alice, then Bob will likely develop a positive feeling towards Alice to maintain balance.
The theory uses a simple triadic structure to illustrate these relationships, where each element can be positive or negative. A balanced state occurs when the product of the signs is positive, leading to emotional stability. Unbalanced states create tension, prompting individuals to change their attitudes or relationships to restore harmony.