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Psychological reactance: effects of age and gender
S M Hong1, E Giannakopoulos, D Laing
1Department of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Macathur, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
The Journal of Social Psychology
|April 1, 1994
Summary
As individuals age, their psychological reactance tends to decrease. This study found no gender differences in reactance, but a significant interaction between age and gender was observed in adult Australians.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Psychological reactance is a motivational reaction to offers, persons, rules, or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms.
- Understanding factors influencing psychological reactance is crucial for various fields, including health communication and policy implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age and gender on psychological reactance in adult Australians.
- To determine if reactance levels differ across age groups and between genders.
Main Methods:
- A self-report, attitudinal questionnaire was administered to 1,717 adult Australians aged 18–40.
- Statistical analysis was performed to examine the effects of age and gender on psychological reactance.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between age and psychological reactance, indicating reactance decreases with increasing age.
- No significant main effect of gender on psychological reactance was identified.
- A significant interaction effect between age and gender on psychological reactance was observed.
Conclusions:
- Age is a significant factor in psychological reactance, with older adults exhibiting lower levels.
- While gender alone did not influence reactance, its interaction with age suggests nuanced effects.
- Findings contribute to understanding demographic influences on psychological reactance in an Australian adult population.