Attitude-restrictive messages and resistance to persuasion: An application of reactance theory to committed romantic relationships

Romantic partners are motivated to persuade each other closer to their position on issues relevant to their relationships. This motivation stems from a desire to maintain balanced attitudes in relationships. In the current study this was supported with a positive relationship between agreement and commitment. Persuasive attempts on issues relevant to couples' relationships are likely to create perceived threats to personal freedom. Threats to freedom may activate psychological reactance (Brehm, 1966).; This study examined reactance effects and resistance to persuasion from attitude-restrictive messages delivered by partners in committed romantic relationships. Brehm and Brehm (1981) proposed that greater commitment yields greater reactance. Findings from previous research support this assumption but it has not been tested with committed romantic partners.; Sixty-four couples participated in an experiment designed to test the following aspects of reactance theory: propositions, relational commitment, attitude discrepancy, importance of attitude, and message features that are central to reactance. State reactance was directly measured. New scales were created to measure state reactance and agreement on relational issues.; Tests of the research questions and hypotheses revealed that reactance was a mediator between attitude-restrictive messages and resistance to persuasion. The use of attitudinally restrictive messages resulted in higher ratings reactance. Data also indicated a positive relationship between reactance and resistance. Brehm and Brehm's (1981) propositions or threats to other freedoms was supported but other propositions regarding the magnitude of reactance a person should experience based on the importance of a threatened freedom or the amount of commitment were not supported. The high ratings of realism indicated that the type of communication used and the topics discussed in the experiment are very similar to what is normal for couples. Knowledge of the process of resistance to persuasion in close relationships can help couples reduce disagreements. Relational partners, in order to avoid reactance, should allow their partners to form their own conclusions about relational issues.