Final answer:
Psychological reactance theory explains how individuals react negatively when their freedoms are threatened, often resulting in behavior intended to reclaim the perceived loss of freedom. For instance, a teenager may break curfew to assert independence when parents attempt to restrict their social activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychological Reactance Theory
Psychological reactance theory is a concept in social psychology that reflects a person's response to having their freedom of choice limited or threatened. According to this theory, when people feel that their freedom to make choices is being restricted or eliminated, they experience psychological reactance—a motivational state aimed at reclaiming the lost freedom. This response can manifest in various ways, from adopting opposing opinions to engaging in behaviors specifically to assert one's freedom.
An example of psychological reactance could be a teenager whose parents impose an early curfew. The teenager, feeling that their freedom to socialize is being unfairly limited, might react by staying out later than the curfew to assert their independence. This is not to be confused with learned helplessness, which occurs when an individual feels they have no control over their situation, or cognitive dissonance, which is the mental discomfort experienced by holding conflicting beliefs or engaging in behavior contradictory to one's beliefs.