Strategies & Motives for Resistance to Persuasion Based on Fransen & Smit's Integrative Framework (Simplified with Examples)
Big Idea When someone tries to persuade us, we don’t just accept it. We often RESIST – using different strategies (HOW) for different motives (WHY).
Four Strategies: HOW We Resist 1. Avoidance – Skipping ads, ignoring messages. 2. Contesting – Arguing against message, source, or tactics. 3. Biased Processing – Twisting info to fit beliefs. 4. Empowerment – Boosting own confidence or beliefs.
Examples of Strategies • Avoidance: Skip YouTube ads. • Contesting: 'This ad is just manipulative!' • Biased Processing: 'Walking my dog counts as exercise.' • Empowerment: 'I know my choice is right; my friends agree too.'
Three Motives: WHY We Resist 1. Threat to Freedom – 'Don’t tell me what to do!' 2. Reluctance to Change – 'I like things as they are.' 3. Concerns of Deception – 'They are trying to trick me.'
Examples of Motives • Threat to Freedom: 'You must quit smoking now!' → Feels controlling. • Reluctance to Change: Comfortable with eating meat → Resist vegan message. • Concerns of Deception: 'Lose 10 kg in 1 week!' → Sounds like scam.
Linking Motives to Strategies • Freedom → Contest or Empower. • Change → Biased Processing or Empower. • Deception → Contest. • Avoidance → Can happen with any motive.
Everyday Example Ad says: 'Everyone must switch to this new financial app!' • Freedom motive: 'Don’t tell me what to do!' → Contest. • Change motive: 'I’m fine with my current bank.' → Empower/Biased Processing. • Deception motive: 'Sounds like a scam.' → Contest. • Avoidance: Close the ad immediately.