![]() ![]() When there is a loss of a single free behavior, there may be by implication a related threat of removal of other free behaviors now or in the future. ![]() There are several rules associated with free behaviors and reactance: ![]() When a person has such a free behavior they are likely to experience reactance whenever that behavior is restricted, eliminated, or threatened with elimination. It is not always clear, to an observer, or the individuals themselves, if they hold a particular freedom to engage in a given behavior. More specifically, behaviors may be explained as "what one does (or doesn't do)", "how one does something", or "when one does something". For a behavior to be free, the individual must have the relevant physical and psychological abilities to partake in it, and must know they can engage in it at the moment, or in the near future. Reactance theory assumes there are "free behaviors" individuals perceive and can take part in at any given moment. When the freedom is completely eliminated, reactance becomes maximal, as the lost freedom becomes more desirable. Reactance in this case is now the manifestation of the behaviors aimed to restore freedom. In this theory, with the removal of freedom, an individual will attempt to restore said freedom. Reactance theory aims to understand motive behind behaviors when freedom is threatened or eliminated. The theory of psychological reactance specifies what is considered a freedom, how said freedom can be taken away or threatened, and how the psychological reactance will manifest itself. ![]() Use of a "respectful, reflective approach" described in motivational interviewing and applied as motivational enhancement therapy, rather than by argumentation, the accusation of "being in denial", and direct confrontations, lead to the motivation to change and avoid the resistance and denial, or reactance, elicited by strong direct confrontation. Miller, "Research demonstrates that a counselor can drive resistance (denial) levels up and down dramatically according to his or her personal counseling style". Reactance also explains denial as it is encountered in addiction counselling. Freedom is not an abstract consideration, but rather a feeling associated with real behaviors, including actions, emotions, and attitudes. There are four important elements to reactance theory: perceived freedom, threat to freedom, reactance, and restoration of freedom. Because this motivational state is a result of the perceived reduction of one's freedom of action, it is considered a counterforce, and thus is called "psychological reactance". The fear of loss of further freedoms can spark this arousal and motivate them to re-establish the threatened freedom. It is assumed that if a person's behavioral freedom is threatened or reduced, they become motivationally aroused. Psychological reactance is "an unpleasant motivational arousal that emerges when people experience a threat to or loss of their free behaviors." An individual's freedom to select when and how to conduct their behavior, and the level to which they are aware of the relevant freedom-and are able to determine behaviors necessary to satisfy that freedom-affect the generation of psychological reactance. Some individuals are naturally high in reactance, a personality characteristic called trait reactance. Reactance can occur when an individual senses that someone is trying to compel them to do something often the individual will offer resistance and attempt to extricate themselves from the situation. Some individuals might employ reverse psychology in a bid to exploit reactance for their benefit, in an attempt to influence someone to choose the opposite of what is being requested. Reactance can encourage an individual to adopt or strengthen a view or attitude which is indeed contrary to that which was intended - which is to say, to a response of noncompliance - and can also increase resistance to persuasion. Reactance can occur when someone is heavily pressured into accepting a certain view or attitude. Reactance occurs when an individual feels that an agent is attempting to limit one's choice of response and/or range of alternatives. In psychology, reactance is an unpleasant motivational reaction to offers, persons, rules, or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms. ![]()
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