Reactance is a psychological phenomenon related to motivation and heuristics, that is, the mental shortcuts by which we make decisions without going through a reflection phase based on logic.
Specifically, the reactance is a tendency to reject rules or directions coming from others and that are perceived as a limitation of personal freedom. In short, it is an emotional reaction to real or apparent impositions.
Furthermore, reactance is not only a phenomenon that occurs in individuals, but can manifest itself collectively; for example, in the face of political or economic events.
The concept of heuristic
Reactance is not so much rational as emotional since it is a response to a perception of change, rather than being based on a logical analysis of the present and the best options that can be taken in that situation.
This is linked to the fact that a large part of the decisions and actions we carry out are not based so much on rational reasoning as on emotions.
These are some of the characteristics and psychological effects of this phenomenon.
1. Gives rise to manipulation
Psychological reactance can be predicted by people who have a special interest in convincing someone. This means that it is used to present an undesirable option in which there are apparent rules and make the other option, the one that you really want to “sell” to the other, seem more attractive in comparison.
2. It makes psychological experimentation difficult
There is a type of psychological reactance called Hawthorne effect that makes it difficult to carry out experiments or research based on the observation of human beings.
This is because the people who volunteer to be observed in this type of study, upon knowing that they are being observed, stop acting naturally and spontaneously for the simple fact that they think about the forecasts and guidelines with which they work. the researchers who are observing.
In some way, they react when they know they are being observed, and “disobey” the premise of acting naturally, which causes them to act in a way that is not very representative of their usual way of feeling, thinking or behaving.
3. The greater the importance of the element, the greater the reaction
If the option that is threatened by the norms is highly valued the emotional reaction will be greater and more violent or disruptive.
4. The greater the imposition, the greater the reactance
It has been proven that in cases of reactance, it can appear even when the behavior is limited or “prohibited.” It wasn’t even highly valued before The greater the feeling that there is something that threatens one’s freedom, the greater the reaction against this imposition.
People less accustomed to adhering to rules They usually present a higher level of reactance, because their expectations regarding their level of freedom are higher.
6. A key role in reverse psychology
Reactance is also taken into account by people who use reverse psychology to influence about the behavior of others. This strategy involves taking advantage of the type of emotionally-based thinking that occurs during reactance to prevent someone from making a rational decision.
In this way, a perfectly acceptable and even desirable option is presented as a type of apparent imposition, and this makes the interlocutors or the audience feel inclined towards the opposite option.
This phenomenon is commonly used both in dealing with disobedient boys and girls and in political argumentation and propaganda.
7. The vision you have of the other influences
Reactance is especially strong when the schemes to which one must adapt come from someone or something (such as an institution). that is not perceived as legitimate For example, if there are a series of measures adopted by a government that is perceived as illegitimate, the reactions against these new laws will be greater.
8. It depends on the number of freedoms threatened
This phenomenon not only depends on the intensity of the perceived imposition, but also on the amount of freedoms that are compromised. Thus, a rule that affects the ability to purchase products and at the same time the number of options to choose from when making purchases will be seen as a greater imposition and the reactance will be greater.
