What typically occurs when an individual experiences a threat to their freedoms according to the concept of psychological reactance?

The concept of psychological reactance is a theory that explains how individuals respond to threats against their freedoms or perceived autonomy. When someone feels that their freedom to choose or act is being restricted, it often triggers a motivational arousal. This arousal manifests as defensive responses aimed at restoring that perceived loss of freedom.

Choosing defensive responses can include behaviors such as resisting the influence or arguments prompting the threat, reaffirming their own beliefs, or taking actions that counter the imposed constraints. This is particularly relevant in health communication, where individuals may resist health messages that they perceive as coercive or threatening to their personal choice.

The other options reflect different responses but do not capture the essence of psychological reactance. Increased adherence to opposing viewpoints, passive acceptance, and enhancement of personal belief systems may occur in different contexts, but they do not specifically address the defensive nature of responses triggered by a perceived threat to personal freedoms. Hence, option B accurately encapsulates the central idea of psychological reactance.