Question

According to your text, when you are part of a social network made up of people with similar views to yours, your attitudes

a. become less resistant to change
b. become more resistant to change
c. become less important to you
d. none of the above

Answer 1

Being part of a social network with similar views makes attitudes more resistant to change due to group polarization and the echo chamber effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you are part of a social network made up of people with similar views to yours, your attitudes become more resistant to change. This occurrence is often due to the concept of group polarization, where discussion within the group leads to a strengthening of the original group attitude. Social networks facilitate this by allowing people to form connections with others who are similar, a tendency referred to as homophily. These homogeneous networks often reinforce existing beliefs and attitudes, creating an 'echo chamber' effect, where a range of views become limited and more extreme over time. This serves to solidify the original stance, making members less open to differing perspectives and thus more resistant to change.