What does the cognitive component of the tri-component model refer to?

The cognitive component of the tri-component model specifically refers to beliefs about the attitude object. In psychology, attitudes are typically understood as having three components: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. The cognitive component involves an individual's thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge about a particular object, person, or situation. It represents the mental assessments or perceptions that a person holds regarding the attitude object. For instance, if someone has a positive attitude toward renewable energy, their cognitive beliefs might include thoughts that it helps reduce pollution and is sustainable.

In contrast, the affective component relates to the feelings or emotional responses connected to the attitude object, while the behavioral component involves actions or intentions towards that object. Therefore, the focus of the cognitive component is on the beliefs that form the basis of attitudes rather than the emotional or behavioral aspects.