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Psychological Reactance and the Relinquishment of Control

Washington University

Carol Werner

University of Utah

This study examines the hypothesis that the motivational state of psychological reactance can undermine effective control relinquishment. Subjects were asked to make control relinquishment decisions regarding an upcoming task after either performing adequately or inadequately on a prior task. Subjects also received feedback indicating that a partner had performed at a similar or superior level. Results indicate that subjects who had previously performed at an adequate level, but not those who performed at an inadequate level, relinquished more task control to superior partners. These findings indicate that under conditions conducive to eliciting reactance, ineffective decision making may result.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 10, No. 2, 225-234 (1984)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167284102008


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