Final answer:
Mental positions developed through interactions with environments are known as attitudes, which are evaluations of people, ideas, or objects and include affective, behavioral, and cognitive components. They are influenced by internal factors like cognitive dissonance and external forces such as conformity and persuasion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mental positions that people develop through interactions with their environments are best described as attitudes. An attitude is our evaluation of a person, an idea, or an object, and is generally favorable or unfavorable.
Attitudes are complex and consist of three components: affective (feelings), behavioral (the effect of the attitude on behavior), and cognitive (belief and knowledge).
For instance, a person's skeptical attitude toward authority figures could stem from past experiences of racism or other forms of bigotry.
Attitudes are influenced by both internal factors, such as cognitive dissonance, and external forces, such as conformity, compliance, and persuasion.
Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a conflict among our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which may lead to a change in our attitudes or behaviors to reduce the resulting tension.
Externally, the influence of peers and authority can drive conformity and obedience, even when they diverge from one's personal values.