A Close Examination of Trait Reactance and Issue Involvement as Moderators of Psychological Reactance Theory

Abstract

This study used psychological reactance theory (PRT) to investigate (a) the effectiveness of 2 message features (freedom-threatening language and character frame) and (b) the role of trait reactance and issue involvement as moderators of a perceived freedom threat. Within the context of organ donation, the results indicated no differences for character frame among the donor, recipient, or waiting list narratives. However, freedom-threatening language was positively associated with a perceived freedom threat. In turn, a perceived freedom threat was positively associated with state reactance, which was inversely, albeit nonsignificantly, associated with organ donation attitudes. Attitudes predicted intentions to be an organ donor. Results also revealed that trait reactance was positively associated with a perceived freedom threat. Although not associated with a freedom threat, issue involvement was positively associated with organ donation attitudes and intent to be a donor. Additionally, a trait reactance by issue involvement by freedom-threatening language interaction predicted a perceived freedom threat. Results are discussed with an emphasis on these moderators in PRT.

Trait Reactance Moderates Facebook Users' Irritation with Brand Communication

“…However, when brand messages are written in the communal communication style, high and low reactance individuals perceived the same level of irritation. This finding coincides with existing research on trait reactance in the advertising and health communication area, such that high reactance people are more likely than are low reactance people to perceive a persuasive message as an attempt to threaten their freedom (e.g., Grandpre, Alvaro, Burgoon, Miller, & Hall, 2009;Quick et al, 2011;White, Zahay, Thorbjørnsen, & Shavitt, 2008). Because the exchange style of creating earned impressions resembles a persuasive message, high reactance people may consider the exchange style as a threat to their freedom.…”

“…Therefore, in this study, we explored the unique effect of earned impressions in brand-building relationships between advertisers and customers. Specifically, we examined how trait reactance, that is, the personality traits that influence one's resistance to persuasive messages (Quick, Scott, & Ledbetter, 2011), plays a role when customers are exposed to branded content in the form of earned impressions (vs. paid advertisements) in a social media context. Our aim was to provide a deeper understanding of the effects of earned impressions when using Facebook as an advertising medium.…”

The Nature of Psychological Reactance Revisited: A Meta-Analytic Review

“…In such instances, the version of the case published in a journal was used for the analyses. In addition, there were two instances in which the same data regarding reactance (i.e., associations among freedom threat, anger, counterarguments, and attitude) were used in different projects (Kim & Levine, 2008a, 2008c and Quick, 2010; Quick & Scott, 2009; Quick, Scott, & Ledbetter, 2011). Data from the most recent report were used for the meta‐analyses (Kim & Levine, 2008a; Quick et al, 2011).…”

An Experimental Investigation of the Antecedents and Consequences of Psychological Reactance in the College Classroom

“…Since its resurgence in the 1990s, PRT has been applied to examine change in a variety of behaviors, including alcohol consumption (Bensley & Wu, 1991;Dillard & Shen, 2005), smoking (Grandpre et al, 2003), flossing (Dillard & Shen, 2005), exercise (Miller, Lane, Deatrick, Young, & Potts, 2007), and organ donation (Quick, Scott, & Ledbetter, 2011). A variety of message factors have also been explored using a PRT framework.…”