T21: Heider’s Balance

Theory
COMM2071 Media Audiences and Consumer
Behaviour

By: Karan, Andrew, Ethel, Nykole, Joreen and

Xiaojia
 Topic 21
Devise an experiment to test Heider’s Balance
Theory and discuss your findings
 Introduction

• Brief overview of Heider’s Balance Theory

• Experiment Objectives

• “Operation Sunshine” – The Experiment

• “Operation Sunshine” Findings &

Observations

• Critiques
Heider’s Balance Theory
• Originator: Fritz Heider (1946)
• Cognitive Consistency Theory
• Theoretical Framework – people & environment
• Triad Relation: “P”, “O” & “X”
• In “P’s” cognitive structure – “Balanced” or “Unbalanced”
relation?
• Heider’s Basic Hypothesis:
- Pressure toward balance  Change relation  Action
 Cognitive
Reorganization
- No change  Imbalance state  Tension
Experiment: Objectives
“Operation Sunshine”
By applying Heider’s Balance Theory and model to our
experiment, we
attempt to;

1 Justify if the theory and model is valid and workable:

1A: Can we tell if the relation is balanced or unbalanced?
1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s” possible reaction(s) to attain
“balance”?
1C: Will the stress from the pressure be able to motivate “P” to
take action or cognitive reorganization to attain “balance” or will
“P” simply do nothing?

2 Explore the advantages and short-comings of the

1A: Can we tell if the relation is balanced
or unbalanced?
“P”-
Nykole
(-) x (+) x (+) = (-)ve
“Unbalanced”
relation

P (- ) O P (+) X

O (+) X

“O” - “X”- Karan’s

Marc friendship
 1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s”
possible reaction(s)?
P

Prediction 1:
“P” may change her
mind about “O” for
the better, and
retain “X” friendship
P (+) O P (+) X

(+) x (+) x (+) = (+)ve

“Balanced”
relation
O (+) X X
O
 1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s”
possible reaction(s)?
P

Prediction 2:
“P” may decide to
forego both
relationships with
“O” and “X”
P (-) O P (-) X

(-) x (-) x (+) = (+)ve

“Balanced”
relation
O (+) X X
O
 1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s”
possible reaction(s)?
P

Prediction 3:
“P” may find ways to
sabotage the
relation between “X”
and “O”
P (-) O P (+) X

(-) x (+) x (-) = (+)ve

“Balanced”
relation
O (-) X X
O
 1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s”
possible reaction(s)?
P

Prediction 4:
“P” can reconcile
with “O” and at the
same time forego
“X” – the friendship
P (+) O P (-) X with Karan and
cause “O” to fall out
with “X”

(+) x (-) x (-) = (+)ve

“Balanced”
O (-) X X relation
O
 1B: Can we accurately predict “P’s”
possible reaction(s)?
P

Prediction 5:
“P” does nothing
and allow the
current
“unbalanced” state
P (- ) O P (+) X to exist

(-) x (+) x (+) = (-)ve

“Unbalanced”
relation
O (+) X X
O
Video Presentation
 Result
“P” tried to seek balance through various
means:
P “P” raised her
“P” tried to discomfort about
convince “O” that “X”- Karan’s
his class behavior friendship, by
is disruptive and blaming it on
he should stop “O’s” common
interest in “X”
P (-) O P (+) X

O O (+) X X

“P” tried to “P” tried

sabotage the eliminate having
relation a common friend
between “O” & with “O” (i.e.
Result
In the end, “P” maintained the original
“unbalanced” relationPstatus

P (-) O P (+) X

O O (+) X X

(-) x (+) x (+) = (-)ve

“Unbalanced”
relation
Other Observations
• Predictive nature: may only be restricted to
predict direction of change, but not much
accuracy in describing “How” it’s done

• Prediction accuracy is dependent on “P’s”

truthfulness

• “P” is not motivated enough to seek balance

in her relation with “O”

• State of imbalance will produce tension, but

“P” may not be affected
(+ve) Critiques
• Good with intuitions about harmony &
disharmony between people and the
significant things in life

• Recognizes that people sometimes notice

inconsistent cognitions  lead to attitude
change

• Simple theory, ease of interpretation, easy to

understand
(-ve) Critiques
• Theory ignores the fact that relationships are
“2-way streets”
• Over-simplification of human sentiments with
only like (+ve) and dislike (-ve)
• Perceived importance of the relationship
affects motivational level to pursue balance
• Theory doesn’t work with more than 3-
entities
• Within the 3 entities, at least two parties are
required to have feelings
 Credits XiaoJia
“Preetty Girl”

Joreen
“Ms CPF”

Andrew
“The Flu Bug”

Karan
“Haha Girl”

Ethel
“The Raisin Girl” Nykole
“Spider Girl”
End