Does Reactance Arise to a Counterattitudinal Message: Reexamining Social Judgment Theory Adopting Intertwined Model of Psychological Reactance

• In Event: Effects of Interpersonal Communication on Persuasion and Compliance Gaining

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that the intertwined model of psychological reactance (IMPR) explains the mechanism of persuasion failure caused by stimuli other than freedom threat. This study further extends IMPR to understand the connections with social judgment theory (SJT) predictions of persuasive boomerang. Findings corroborate that IMPR is not specific to freedom threat. Counterattitudinal messages can induce reactance from individuals with vested interest in the issue under consideration. Lack or absence of attitude change often observed in heated political or economic debates could also be understood based on reactance stemming from issue involvement. Reexamining other rational models of persuasion through the lens of IMPR should help further the external validity of, and establish the boundary conditions for, the synergistic approach of persuasion that considers both affect and cognition in predicting attitude change.

Authors

• Sang-Yeon Kim, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Mike Allen, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Michele Olson, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Arrington Stoll, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee