---
title: "ABC Tripartite Model: Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "The ABC tripartite model defines attitudes as comprising Affect, Behaviour, and Cognition. It's essential for civil services and social psychology studies."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/abc-tripartite-model"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed July 7, 2026

TL;DR

- The ABC tripartite model holds that every attitude comprises three interlinked components: Affect (feelings), Behaviour (action tendencies), and Cognition (beliefs).
- What do the three letters in the ABC model of attitude stand for?
- How does the ABC model explain the attitude–behaviour gap?
- How is the ABC model relevant to civil-service ethics?
- Who developed the tripartite model of attitude?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated July 7, 2026

The ABC tripartite model holds that every attitude comprises three interlinked components: Affect (feelings), Behaviour (action tendencies), and Cognition (beliefs).

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Example

In 2017 the Indian government's Swachh Bharat campaign deliberately targeted all three ABC components — informing citizens about hygiene (cognition), evoking shame and pride (affect), and incentivising toilet construction and use (behaviour) — to shift entrenched attitudes toward open defecation.

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Lessons

[Attitude Moral Political Attitudes](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-ethics-gs4-attitude-moral-political-attitudes)

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[Upsc Ethics Gs4](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/upsc-ethics-gs4)

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