According to Fritz Heider's Balance Theory, an unbalanced state occurs when:

The correct answer is 'The product of the relationships in a triad is negative.'

Key Points

• Fritz Heider's Balance Theory:
  • Fritz Heider's Balance Theory is a psychological theory that examines the consistency in relationships among triads of individuals or objects.
  • The theory posits that people strive for balance in their relationships and that an unbalanced state generates psychological discomfort, prompting individuals to take action to restore balance.
  • In the context of triads, balance is achieved when the product of the signs of the relationships among three entities is positive.
• Unbalanced State:
  • An unbalanced state occurs when the product of the relationships in a triad is negative.
  • This means that if the multiplication of the signs of the three relationships results in a negative value, the triad is considered unbalanced.
  • For example, if two relationships are positive and one is negative, or if one relationship is positive and two are negative, the overall product will be negative, indicating an unbalanced state.

Additional Information

• Other Options:
  • All three relationships in the triad are positive:
    • This scenario represents a balanced state, not an unbalanced one, as the product of the relationships is positive.
  • Two out of three relationships in a triad are positive:
    • If two relationships are positive and one is negative, the product of the relationships will be negative, leading to an unbalanced state.
  • All relationships in the triad are negative:
    • When all three relationships are negative, the product of the relationships is negative, indicating an unbalanced state.