The Balancing Theory

The Balancing Theory suggests that people are motivated to maintain harmony in their relationships and beliefs. When they hold conflicting feelings or ideas—such as liking someone who dislikes a friend—they experience discomfort. To reduce this tension, they naturally seek to align these elements, either by changing their feelings or perceptions. For example, if you like someone who dislikes your other friend, you might try to resolve this imbalance by helping your friend see that person differently or re-evaluating your own feelings. This theory explains how social and personal attitudes tend to evolve towards consistency and harmony over time.