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Reactance for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ri'æktəns

What does Reactance really mean?

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Sure, I'd love to help explain that! So, "reactance" is a word that describes how people might feel when they're told they can't do something, or when they feel like someone is trying to control them in some way. It's like when someone tells you not to do something, and it actually makes you want to do it even more.

Think of it like when your parents tell you not to eat a cookie before dinner—it might make you want that cookie even more because you feel like your freedom to make your own choice is being taken away. That feeling of not wanting to be controlled or restricted is called "reactance." It's like your brain's way of rebelling against being told what to do.

Another way to think about it is like when you're playing a video game and the game tells you not to go into a certain area. Even if you weren't planning on going there before, now that the game has told you not to, you might feel a strong urge to go check it out. That's a bit like reactance in action.

Basically, reactance is all about that feeling of resistance or defiance you might have when you feel like your freedom or choices are being threatened. Does that make sense?

Revised and Fact checked by Nicole Thomas on 2023-12-16 09:09:04

Reactance In a sentece

Learn how to use Reactance inside a sentece

  • When your parents tell you not to do something, and you feel the strong urge to do it anyway, that's reactance.
  • If someone tries to convince you to like a certain type of music, but you end up disliking it even more, that's reactance.
  • When a teacher tells you to work on a specific project and you feel resistance towards it, that's reactance.
  • If a doctor advises you to quit smoking, and you feel more inclined to smoke even more, that's reactance.
  • If a friend insists that you should watch a TV show, but you start feeling less interested in it, that's reactance.

Reactance Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.