An old advertisement for Dove ice cream bars touted the bars as "sinfully" delicious-so delicious that they should be banned or forbidden. The advertisement, which sought to make the bars seem as attractive to people as possible, was apparently playing on the concept of ____.
A)reactance
B)the status quo bias
C)the certainty effect
D)risk aversion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The advertisement was playing on the concept of reactance, which is a motivational reaction to offers, persons, rules, or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms. By suggesting the ice cream bars are "sinfully" delicious, it implies that enjoying them is a form of breaking the rules or indulging in forbidden pleasure, which can increase their appeal due to the psychological reactance against being told one shouldn't have them.

An Old Advertisement for Dove Ice Cream Bars Touted the Bars