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[The interactive effect of initial position and threat to freedom on psychological reactance]
1Department of Human Behavioral Science, Hokkaido University of Education, Hakodate.
Shinrigaku Kenkyu : the Japanese Journal of Psychology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Reactance effect on attitude change is complex. Threat to freedom reduced opinion change for neutral or disagreeing individuals, especially when their initial stance was uncertain or the issue was important.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Attitude Change Research
Context:
- Investigating the psychological reactance theory.
- Understanding factors influencing attitude shifts.
- Examining the role of discrepancy and prerequisite conditions in reactance.
Purpose:
- To determine the critical factors for reactance effect on attitude change.
- To analyze the impact of initial attitude positions and threat manipulation on opinion change.
- To identify prerequisite conditions for reactance arousal.
Summary:
- Threat manipulation reduced opinion change in neutral or moderate/extreme disagreement groups.
- Compliance under high threat was lower for individuals uncertain of their stance or perceiving the issue as important (freedom-of-choice group).
- Compliance was also lower for those perceiving the attacked position as possible and important (freedom-of-position group).
Impact:
- Highlights the theoretical and practical significance of prerequisite conditions for reactance arousal.
- Provides insights into targeted persuasion strategies.
- Informs understanding of resistance to attitude change.