The theory that reactance serves as a motivator to restore one’s freedom.

Reactance Theory

An unpleasant motivational arousal that emerges when people perceive a threat to or loss of their free behaviors.

Michigan State University

In order of magnitude, antivaccination attitudes are highest among those who (a) were high in conspiratorial thinking, (b) were high in reactance, (c) reported high levels of disgust toward blood and needles, and (d) had strong individualistic/hierarchical worldviews.

Anti-Vaxxer Attitudes

Steindl, C., Jonas, E., Sittenthaler, S., Traut-Mattausch, E., & Greenberg, J. (2015). Understanding Psychological Reactance: New Developments and Findings. Zeitschrift fur Psychologie, 223(4), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000222

Understanding Psychological Reactance

Also known as "conspiratorial ideation", this refers to the general tendency to endorse and believe in conspiracy theories. Those high in conspiracy ideations are less likely to believe in scientific findings and tend to form insular communities that restrict the exposure of correct information.

Conspiratorial Thinking

Reactance

A deep-rooted belief that one should prioritize themself and their own wants/needs over those of their community (individualism), and that that rights, duties, goods, and offices should be distributed based on one's social standing (hierarchism).

Individualistic/Hierarchical Worldviews

Demographic variables (including education) accounted for nonsignificant or trivial levels of variance. No relationship between demographic variables and anti-vaxxer attitudes were found in the referenced study.

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