Lesson 4: Psychological reactance theory
Four Assumptions of psychological reactance theory
Belief in a freedom to choose As importance of a threatened freedom increased reactance increases As threats increase, reactance increases As implied threats occur reactance increases
Reactance as a two-step process
Freedom threat= reactance= anger + negative cognitions Very important to first measure freedom threat What are some outcomes or reactance Attitudes Behaviors Norms Message effectiveness (possible test question) is reactions a two step process? Yes, reactants and freedom threat
Choice clustering
a cluster is a related set of behaviors that are complementary, or logical alternatives, to one another (don't just recommend just one behavior list multiple and their is a better chance of one resonating)
Construct explication
reactance is a state of motivational arousal that leads to an attempt to restore a lost or threatened freedom ! Conceptualized as negative cognitions and anger!
Reactance proneness
some people are more likely to be reaction prone Examples are: Close minded Opinionated person skeptical/ misstrustful sensitive/ defensive Addventures Daring
Reactance in practice
Relational advice Advertisements Public service announcements
Psychological reactance theory
Theory proposing that people value thinking and acting freely. Therefore, situations that threaten their freedom arouse discomfort and prompt efforts to restore freedom. PRT Holds that people place a premium on their ability to act freely on alterations Reaction- when someone takes something away from you that you believe is yours