Forbidding someone to do something might create psychological reactance,prompting people to do the exact opposite of what you want them to do.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as the reactance theory, and it proposes that when people feel their freedom to engage in a behavior or make a choice is threatened or eliminated, they may react by increasing their attraction to the forbidden option. This is because people value their sense of autonomy and control, and any attempt to limit it can create a motivational state that drives them to re-establish their freedom. Therefore, forbidding someone to do something might paradoxically increase their willingness to do it.

Forbidding Someone to Do Something Might Create Psychological Reactance,prompting People