Reactance

Notes

Claim

Reactance is when we "rebel" against something, often contrary to the wishes of the one who asked.

Explanation

For example when you see a "please don't litter" sign, and in response you purposefully throws something on the ground. While it appears purposefully, it is not always intentional. It might be an automatic response as any other, although it is often occurs when we feel we lose our freedom of choice. It also happens when we are treated as objects, when we are not seen or understood.

When we experience it as being pushed, we will push back Excessive striving produces the opposite of intended outcomes.

Why it matters

Therefore How we describe something shapes how it is perceived is key, because what causes reactance is not so much the request itself but rather how we perceive it. The difference between "Littering is prohibited and you will be fined" is very different from "please help us protect our neighborhood and keep it clean" although the request is de facto the same.

Examples

Supporters

Reactance is dangerous because it pushes us towards a Harmful actions reinforce themselves through self-perpetuating feedback loops, where our reactance causes reactance on the other side as well, promoting Zero sum thinking, strengthens an Me vs them mindset, and reduces Cooperation is working together toward shared mutual benefit.

Opposers

Open questions

Visual