Speaker: A/Prof Dan Altman

Affiliation: Georgia State University

Location: Room 629, Level 6, Colin Clark Building (#39), UQ St Lucia Campus

Online via Zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/86028716073

Abstract

When confronted with coercive threats, targets often stand firm rather than back down. We identify one important yet unrecognized factor that causes actors to resist threats: psychological reactance. Reactance theory explains that when someone perceives a threat to their freedom to make choices, they attempt to restore their autonomy by refusing to capitulate. The result is unwillingness to concede to coercion that extends beyond rational incentives. We test for reactance as a cause of coercion failure with two novel experiments. Each experiment pairs a coercive threat treatment with a matched ‘natural costs’ counterpart that imposes the same choice on the target without intentional action by a coercer. Controlling for prominent alternative explanations including costs, benefits, power, credibility, and reputation, we find that the targets of threats capitulate less frequently and more often support aggression against their opponents.

About the presenter's meeting

If you would like to meet with A/Prof Dan Altman, please contact Dr Zachary Breig

About Centre for Unified Behavioural and Economic Sciences (CUBES) e-seminars

An online seminar series on Experimental and Behavioural Economics organized by the Centre for Unified Behavioural and Economic Sciences (CUBES) of the School of Economics at The University of Queensland.

Our seminars take place fortnightly via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10 am or 5 pm (AEST), depending on whether the guest speaker is streaming from US/Australia or Europe respectively.

Seminars consist of a 60-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of Q&A.

Local time for seminars

You can check the corresponding times for your own time zone using the following links for each session: 10am, 5pm.

How to register

Clicking the button below gives you the option to register for: (i) all seminars (ii) seminars that take place at 10am or 5pm, or (iii) individual seminars.

Email invitations with a ZOOM link to the event will be sent 48 hours before each seminar.

If you wish to attend an upcoming seminar within the 48-hour window, please drop an email to Lionel Page.

Register now

« Discover more School of Economics Seminar Series

Venue

Level 6, Colin Clark Building (#39), UQ St Lucia Campus
Room: 
629

Other upcoming sessions