What effect does a threat to autonomy have on individuals in terms of persuasion?

A threat to autonomy generally leads individuals to react defensively, often resulting in resistance to the persuasive attempt. When people feel that their freedom to choose or their independence is being threatened, they tend to push back against the source of that threat. This reaction is rooted in the psychological concept known as reactance, which suggests that individuals value their autonomy and will act to restore it when they perceive it to be compromised.

In the context of persuasion, when individuals perceive that their autonomy is being threatened, they are more likely to resist the message being presented to them. This resistance can manifest as counter-arguing the position being advocated, disengaging from the conversation, or even increasing their commitment to their pre-existing beliefs. Consequently, rather than being persuaded, individuals may instead entrench themselves more firmly in their original stance as a form of self-defense against the perceived imposition on their autonomy.

The other options suggest either an increase in compliance or persuasion, which does not align with the psychological processes at play when autonomy is threatened. Such circumstances generally invoke a strong desire to assert personal control rather than yielding to external influences.