Abstract

Balance theory of predictions of missing relation in the triadic relations was revised and tested. It was assumed that: positive and negative relations are different from each other in the psychological properties. The hypothesis of present study was as follows : partial structures containing two positive relations will elicit approach and involvement responses, and therefore, will elicit the greatest balance effect and the least uncertainty. Partial structures containing more than one negative relations will elicit avoidance, noninvolvement and conflict, and therefore, will elicit similar small balance effect and great uncertainty. The predictions of P/0, P/X and 0/X relations supported the hypothesis. The reported reasons of predictions also supported the hypothesis. Subjects also attended to P/0, P/X and 0/X relations in addition to the balance of the situations and felt uncertainty by the lack of further information and possibility of attitude differences between P and 0. In the reported reasons of predictions, the proportions of the balance effect ranged from .39 to .15. It was suggested that concept of Newcomb's nonbalance should be generalized to the P/X and 0/X relations. The necessity of analysis of uncertainty in the prediction of the missing relations was emphasized.