Users are less likely to adopt a behavior when they feel forced.
<aside> âšī¸ Reactance occurs when a person feels that someone or something is taking away their choices or limiting the range of alternatives. It'll trigger an opposite response to what was intended, and also increases resistance to persuasion.
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Reactance theory describes the pattern of behaviors that occur in an individual when they feel their freedoms are being taken away or restricted. First introduced by Brehm (1968), this theory posits that individuals believe they have certain freedoms and choices and if these are threatened then negative reactions occur. When behaviors that are perceived as being free are threatened or taken away individuals can become motivated to retain and recapture these freedoms.
In 2007, a study was conducted to explore how the wording of a message affects how people perceive information. The study focused on a health-related message given to participants. It was discovered that if the message ended with a statement that didn't impose an obligation to follow the advice in the future, the readers' reactance decreased. Additionally, messages that used fewer controlling words and were more specific were better remembered and understood compared to abstract messages.
For instance, a message like "You have the freedom to cancel your subscription anytime!" after signing up for a paid service is an example of utilizing this bias. In general, reminding users about their ability to choose and make decisions is an effective strategy to minimize potential concerns and reactive responses among them.
Reactance (psychology), Wikipedia