Psychological reactance: Resistance to restrictions on freedom is increasing!

Psychological reactance: Resistance to restrictions on freedom is increasing!

On May 8, 2025, a study by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Vienna published new findings about the rejection of political regulations and their psychological background. This study pays particular attention to measures that are seen as restricting personal freedoms, such as smoking bans and speed limits.

Resistance to such measures is known in psychology as reactance. It describes the negative reaction of people to perceived restrictions on their freedom. Emotional debates surrounding necessary decisions in the areas of climate or health protection can prevent politicians from enforcing important regulations, as the study by TUM shows. This reactance often decreases once the measures are already in place, which is a key finding of the research.

Study approach and results

To better understand these dynamics, the research team conducted a total of seven individual studies. Among other things, representative surveys on the introduction of smoking bans in the workplace in Europe, the requirement to wear a seat belt in the USA and the tightening of the speed limit in the Netherlands were analyzed. Experiments on reactance also took place in Great Britain and Germany. Test subjects shared their opinions on measures such as mandatory vaccinations, a speed limit and new taxes on alcohol and meat.

The results of the studies show a clear trend: the greatest resistance to new measures occurs before they are introduced. After implementation, rejection drops significantly. This is because people think primarily about personal losses beforehand, whereas after the introduction, social benefits come to the fore. A particularly interesting finding is that acceptance of the measures increases when the social benefits are emphasized, as the researchers explain in their work.

Psychological mechanisms

Psychological reactance can be understood as motivation to regain freedoms that were believed to be lost. It is triggered by psychological pressure, such as coercion or emotional argumentation, as well as by restrictions on freedom such as bans and censorship. As the Wikipedia describes, people are often inclined to value the freedoms in question particularly highly as soon as they are restricted.

Reactance manifests itself in different behavioral patterns that aim to restore the perceived freedom. These connections are of far-reaching importance for politics and society in order to communicate the introduction of systemic measures and enable long-term changes in behavior.

Overall, the study clarifies the TUM and the University of Vienna that a targeted information policy and the inclusion of those affected in decision-making processes are essential in order to reduce reactance and promote social acceptance. This knowledge could be crucial for future political initiatives and social changes.