When Xolani starts university, he comes from a very conservative religious background.He strongly feels that homosexuality is 'wrong' and 'immoral', although he has never actually met anyone who is a homosexual.At university, he meets lots of new friends, a few of whom are homosexual.He really enjoys them, and as he spends more time with them he decides, 'I must not really think homosexuality is wrong.After all, several of my best friends are gay and I don't think they are immoral.' Which theory can BEST explain Xolani's change in attitude about homosexuality?
A)social comparison theory
B)the self-reference effect
C)self-perception theory
D)self-handicapping theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Self-perception theory suggests that people infer their own attitudes and beliefs by observing their own behavior or the situation in which the behavior occurred. In this case, Xolani's behavior of spending time with homosexual individuals and enjoying their company caused him to infer that his beliefs about homosexuality were not as strong as he had originally thought.

When Xolani Starts University, He Comes from a Very Conservative