2014 GS-IV AttitudeVerbatim · UPSC

What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes?

Paper

GS-IV

Question

Q11

Marks

10M

Word Limit

150W

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Practice Answer Writing

Word limit: 150 wordsMarks: 10MSuggested time: 7 min

How to approach this question

Directive: Explain

Make the topic clear with reasons, mechanisms and examples.

Structure (10 marks · about 150 words)

Introduction: define the core term or set the context in two or three lines.
Body: two to three dimensions, each backed by an example, data point or case.
Conclusion: a balanced, forward-looking way ahead.

This sub-point (Content, structure, function of attitude) has been asked 3 times since 2013

20132025

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Real evaluated answer copies where a topper tackled this question (or a very close one). The learnings below are drawn straight from their actual answer, not a model answer.

Madhavi R handwritten UPSC Mains answer to "How attitudes are formed and the role of attitude in influencing behaviour/actions — inclu" (GS4, Rank 446, CSE 2024)

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Madhavi RRank 446CSE 2024

Answered a very similar question

Their question: “How attitudes are formed and the role of attitude in influencing behaviour/actions — includes CAB model diagram (10m/150w)”

The PYQ opens by asking what factors affect the formation of a person's attitude, Madhavi's CAB model plus sources-of-attitude flow chart is a ready-made scaffold for that exact demand.

Key learnings from their answer

›Q5b (how attitudes form) carried two purpose-built diagrams, a CAB (Cognition-Affection-Behaviour) model and a separate sources-of-attitude flow chart (family, friends, teachers, conscience, values/morals/laws, past experiences feeding into attitude) -> diagrams in GS-4 work only when they encode an actual model or causal flow the prose can't show as fast; reserve them for conceptual questions (attitude, foundational values) rather than decorating every answer.

See Madhavi R's answer copies View the full evaluated copy →

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About This Question

Paper

GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Subject

Attitude

Subtopic

Content, structure, function of attitude

Section

A (Theory)

Source

Official UPSC 2014 paper, 6 (verbatim)

Official UPSC syllabus: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

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2025GS-IV Q4

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2025GS-IV Q3

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2025GS-IV Q2

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What is UPSC Mains 2014 GS-IV Question 11 about?▼

This is a verbatim UPSC Mains 2014 GS-IV question from the "Attitude" area of the official syllabus. It carries 10 marks with a 150-word limit.

How should I approach this UPSC Mains question?▼

For a 10-mark question with a 150-word limit, decode the directive verb first, then structure your answer with a crisp introduction, 2–3 substantiated body points, and a forward-looking conclusion within the limit.

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