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Heider’s Balance Theory in psychology proposes that people strive for cognitive consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, particularly in triadic interpersonal relationships.

It suggests that when there’s an imbalance (e.g., a person likes another person who dislikes something they like), there’s a motivational drive to restore balance, either by changing attitudes or perceptions.

Essentially, the theory explains why we prefer relationships and situations that maintain balanced states of agreement or harmony.

Balance theory was developed by social psychologist Fritz Heider in 1946. The theory was originally developed to explain patterns of interpersonal relations, but it has also been applied to study attitudes and opinions about many items, such as physical objects, ideas, or events.

What is Balance Theory?

Heider explained that a balance must exist between interpersonal relationships or for something specific between two or more individuals so that psychological harmony can be achieved.

If two or more people share similar ideas about something, there is not likely to be any tension or complication surrounding this idea in the relationship.

The key notion of balance theory is that certain structures are balanced, whereas others are imbalanced. Balanced structures are usually preferred over imbalanced ones.

Imbalanced structures are associated with uncomfortable feelings, and this is what leads people to seek to achieve balance.

Heider suggested that ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ are related to balance and imbalance. Humans search for consistency between their attitudes and relations with others to make the balance neutral.

However, if there is an inconsistency between relations and a perceived imbalance, humans tend to seek modifications to reach consistency and thus cognitive harmony of the situation again.

In this way, balance theory describes how humans are motivated to change their attitudes.

How does balance theory work?

Heider explained how balance theory works by developing a model which examines interpersonal relationships.

The reactions of each individual are framed within a triangle that Heider called the P-O-X model.

Each corner of the triangle represents a different element:

P = the person to analyze

O = Other, or the comparison person

X = the third element for comparisons such as a third person, a physical object, an idea, or an event.

Relation patterns between 3 individuals or objects are often referred to as ‘triadic’ relations.

Through the P-O-X model, it can be possible to deduce the positive and negative relationships between what each person perceives with another or with a certain object.

The relations between the individuals or objects on the P-O-X model can be either positive (+) or negative (-) and this is what can determine if a relationship is balanced.

A triadic relationship is thought to be balanced when it includes either no or an even number of negative relations.

For instance, three positive relations are balanced, as well as two negative relations with one positive relationship. This would be a situation that is psychologically comfortable.

In contrast, a triad is imbalanced when it includes an odd number of negative relations, such as having one negative relation and two positives. This is a situation that would be psychologically uncomfortable, according to balance theory.

There are thought to be two types of relationship dynamics taking place in a triadic relationship:

Unit relationships – this is how much the different elements of the triangle belong together – the more similarities that exist, the more likely the psychological balance will occur.
Sentiment relationships – how one feels about something – are categorized as either ‘liking’ or ‘disliking.’

In most cases, if a positive unit relationship exists, a positive sentiment relationship will also exist. Likewise, a negative unit and negative sentiment relationship also tend to go together.

An example of balance theory

Heider (1958) used the following example to explain how balance theory can be applied to relationships:

‘My friend’s friend is my friend,

My friend’s enemy is my enemy,

My enemy’s friend is my enemy,

My enemy’s enemy is my friend.’

Balance theory does not only examine interpersonal relationships between three individuals. It can explore relationships between individuals and an object, activity, idea, or event.

For instance, if looking at two individual’s attitudes toward going to the gym:

An example of a balanced relationship would be: George likes Lily. George likes going to the gym. Lily likes going to the gym (P+O, P+X, O+X).

Alternatively, if George likes Lily, George does not like going to the gym, and Lily also does not like going to the gym, this would also be balanced (P+O, P-X, O-X).

An unbalanced relationship would be: George likes Lily. George does not like going to the gym. Lily likes going to the gym (P+O, P-X, O+X).

Due to the psychological discomfort of this unbalanced relationship, George may be more likely to change his attitude towards going to the gym due to his positive relationship with Lily.

Alternatively, if George does not like Lily, and George likes going to the gym, but Lily also likes going to the gym, this is also unbalanced (P-O, O+X, O+X).

Having the same attitude as someone you dislike can also make you feel uncomfortable, so George may be more likely to change his attitude to make it dissimilar to that of Lily, who he dislikes.

Balance theory supports the view that we are more likely to have similar attitudes and interests to people we like since it is uncomfortable to have conflicting attitudes to our friends and loved ones.

We are also likely to have dissimilar attitudes toward people we do not like. Similarly, we are thought to be more likely to change our attitudes towards someone or something based on a liked or disliked person’s attitude towards that thing.

What is the difference between balance theory and cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that comes from holding two conflicting attitudes or beliefs.

For instance, taking the case of smoking cigarettes, two conflicting thoughts someone may have can be:

‘I enjoy smoking cigarettes.’

‘Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy.’

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people prefer cognitive consonance, where two attitudes, beliefs, or ideas are consistent with one another. While this seems similar to balance theory, they are defined in different ways.

Balance theory focuses on a triadic relation between the self, another person(s), and a third element.

Unlike cognitive dissonance theory, balance theory emphasizes inconsistencies between interpersonal relations, while cognitive dissonance can occur without any interpersonal inconsistencies.