In reactance theory, when is persuasion most resisted?

In reactance theory, when is persuasion most resisted?

• A. Reactance only occurs when the message is extremely aggressive and explicit.
• B. Perceived threats to freedom trigger resistance; people push back against the message.
• C. Repetition of the message always increases acceptance.
• D. Positive mood eliminates reactance.

Answer: (B)

Reactance theory is about autonomy and how people resist when they feel their freedom to choose is being restricted. When a message is perceived as threatening that freedom, people experience an aversive motivation to restore it, which shows up as resistance to the persuasion and sometimes as counter-arguments or doing the opposite of what’s urged. That’s why the statement about perceived threats to freedom triggering resistance is the best fit—it directly captures the core trigger of reactance. Importantly, reactance isn’t limited to overtly hostile or extreme pressure. Even milder or subtle attempts to restrict freedom can evoke this pushback because the key factor is the perception of lost autonomy, not the intensity of the message. As for the other ideas: simply repeating a message doesn’t guarantee acceptance, especially when people feel their freedom is being constrained—it can even backfire and strengthen resistance. And while a positive mood can influence how someone processes a message, it doesn’t eliminate reactance on its own; autonomy threats can still provoke a defensive response regardless of mood.

Reactance theory is about autonomy and how people resist when they feel their freedom to choose is being restricted. When a message is perceived as threatening that freedom, people experience an aversive motivation to restore it, which shows up as resistance to the persuasion and sometimes as counter-arguments or doing the opposite of what’s urged. That’s why the statement about perceived threats to freedom triggering resistance is the best fit—it directly captures the core trigger of reactance.

Importantly, reactance isn’t limited to overtly hostile or extreme pressure. Even milder or subtle attempts to restrict freedom can evoke this pushback because the key factor is the perception of lost autonomy, not the intensity of the message.

As for the other ideas: simply repeating a message doesn’t guarantee acceptance, especially when people feel their freedom is being constrained—it can even backfire and strengthen resistance. And while a positive mood can influence how someone processes a message, it doesn’t eliminate reactance on its own; autonomy threats can still provoke a defensive response regardless of mood.