The theory of psychological reactance originates in the 1960s with Jack Brehm, who developed it when he was a professor at Duke University. Brehm said that humans are negatively aroused when they ...

In the December 2008 issue of EC&M, we talked about calculating the inductive reactance of conductors that are in close proximity to (or touching) one another. We also noted that the inductance and, ...

Reverse psychology is not an exact science, but communication experts try to find the right balance between positive and negative aspects of behavioral change. The longest running off-Broadway musical ...

Most people have experienced a sudden urge to resist when told what to do, even when the instruction is reasonable and beneficial. A parent tells a teenager to clean their room, and the room remains ...

Reactance theory grew out of research on consumer behavior. This psychological theory describes how people react when they sense a threat to their freedom of choice. The theory extends to many other ...

This is the second part of a two-part series of essays. [July 14 update: I posted this essay July 13, one day before the Trump administration announced that it was rescinding the ICE policy described ...

Most of us do not like to be told what to do. From toddlers adamant about choosing their own bedtimes to adults who should have grown out of it, it's a fact that when faced with advice, instructions, ...

Inductive Reactance is defined as the opposition to current flow. It is the reaction of the inductor to the changing value of alternating current. To explain further, a back electromotive force (emf) ...

Federal health officials first advised Americans to wear cloth face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic one week ago. But the recommendation hasn't exactly persuaded the masses. "It still seems ...