The Reactance Scale

The Reactance Scale measures how strongly a person values their freedom to make choices, especially when they feel that freedom is threatened or restricted. When people perceive their options are limited or pressured, they may respond by resisting or doing the opposite of what is expected, as a way to maintain control. The scale helps identify how sensitive someone is to these feelings of loss of autonomy, which can influence their attitudes, decision-making, and behavior in various situations. Overall, it assesses the level of psychological reactance a person experiences in response to perceived constraints.