Reactance Theory Quiz for Social Psychology Students

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 😠 Definition: Reactance Theory explains how people react when they feel their freedom to choose is threatened. It suggests that individuals will try to regain that freedom.
• 🎯 Key Concept: Perceived threat to freedom leads to motivational arousal (reactance).
• 📈 Magnitude of Reactance: Reactance increases with the importance of the freedom, the proportion of freedoms threatened, and the magnitude of the threat.
• 💡 Psychological Impact: Reactance can manifest as direct attempts to reassert freedom, hostility, or even doing the opposite of what was requested (boomerang effect).
• 🛡️ Applications: Understanding reactance is valuable in persuasion, marketing, and understanding resistance to authority.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes Reactance Theory?
   1. A. People always comply with requests.
   2. B. People are motivated to restore freedom when it is threatened.
   3. C. People are naturally submissive to authority.
   4. D. People prefer having no choices.
2. According to Reactance Theory, what is the primary cause of reactance?
   1. A. Fear of punishment.
   2. B. A perceived threat to freedom.
   3. C. Desire to please others.
   4. D. Habitual opposition.
3. Which factor does NOT influence the magnitude of reactance?
   1. A. The importance of the freedom.
   2. B. The number of freedoms threatened.
   3. C. The social status of the person making the request.
   4. D. The magnitude of the threat.
4. What is the "boomerang effect" in the context of Reactance Theory?
   1. A. Agreeing with the request.
   2. B. Ignoring the request.
   3. C. Doing the opposite of what was requested.
   4. D. Seeking compromise.
5. In which scenario is reactance most likely to occur?
   1. A. When someone is given a suggestion.
   2. B. When someone is ordered to do something against their will.
   3. C. When someone is offered a reward for compliance.
   4. D. When someone is asked for a favor politely.
6. Reactance Theory is most applicable in understanding which of the following?
   1. A. Conformity in group settings.
   2. B. Resistance to persuasion attempts.
   3. C. Obedience to authority.
   4. D. Altruistic behavior.
7. Which of the following is an example of someone exhibiting reactance?
   1. A. A child cleaning their room after being asked politely.
   2. B. A teenager joining a club their parents suggested.
   3. C. A student refusing to study after being pressured by their parents.
   4. D. An employee following their boss's instructions.