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Examining the Role of Trait Reactance and Sensation Seeking on Perceived Threat, State Reactance, and Reactance Restoration
Abstract
The present investigation sought to advance Psychological Reactance Theory (PRT) by examining whether trait reactance and sensation seeking influence the magnitude of a perceived threat, state reactance, and reactance restoration. Results revealed that high trait reactant (HTR) and low trait reactant (LTR) individuals and high sensation seekers (HSS) and low sensation seekers (LSS) processed persuasive messages similarly, adding credibility to recent PRT advances. Dogmatic and vivid language were perceived as a threat for most individuals. An interaction between dogmatic and vivid language on perceived threat was found for HTR and HSS for the sunscreen message. An indirect effect connecting language features and state reactance through perceived threat was supported. Regression analysis revealed that trait reactance and sensation seeking predict variables associated with state reactance.
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“Further, past research showed that the most apparent consequence of reactance is a 'boomerang effect' where people tend to do exactly the opposite of what is requested (e.g., Quick & Stephenson, 2008; Rains, 2013).”
From Rebels With a Cause? Adolescent Defiance From the Perspective of Reactance Theory and Self-Determination Theory (2015) · cites this paper as Quick & Stephenson, 2008
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“When individuals perceive a threat to their autonomy, they often engage in behaviors aimed at restoring their freedom (Brehm 1966; Quick and Stephenson 2008).”
Metadata
- Authors
- Quick, B. L., & Stephenson, M. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Texas A&M University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Quick, Brian L.
- Venue
- Human Communication Research
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-07
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 448-476
- ISSN
- 0360-3989 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-2958
- OpenAlex
- W2013850260
- Cited by
- 237
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 16.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Communication Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychology of Social Influence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Keywords
- psychological reactance theory, trait reactance, sensation seeking, threat perception, persuasive messages, message credibility
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