In which of the following situations would Xolile be MOST likely to experience reactance?
A)He is out on a first date with an attractive person and trying to make a good impression.
B)He comes home and finds his older brother reading his journal - where he has written deep, dark secrets that he does not want anyone to see.
C)He sleeps through an important job interview, and only has himself to blame.
D)He finds out that his mother has cancer, but that she has been hiding it from him for several years because she didn't want him to worry about her.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reactance occurs when someone feels their freedom or autonomy is being threatened or taken away. In this situation, Xolile's older brother reading his personal journal without permission directly threatens his autonomy and privacy, and is therefore the most likely situation to cause reactance. Options A and C may cause feelings of frustration or disappointment, but they do not necessarily involve a threat to Xolile's autonomy. Option D may cause emotional distress, but it does not involve a perceived threat to Xolile's freedom or autonomy.

In Which of the Following Situations Would Xolile Be MOST