This theory-driven method of fine-tuning the basic inoculation model should help to sustain and enrich inoculation as an active and dynamic theory of resistance to attitude change.

Bobi Ivanov, Claude Miller, Jeanetta Sims, Kylie Harrison, Josh Compton, et al.

The efficacy of inoculation theory has been confirmed by decades of empirical research, yet optimizing its effectiveness remains a vibrant line of investigation. The present research turns to psychological reactance theory for a means of enhancing the core mechanisms—threat and refutational preemption—of inoculation. Finding from a multisite study indicate reactance enhances key resistance outcomes, including: threat, anger, negative cognitions, negative affect, anticipated threat to freedom, anticipated source derogation, perceived threat to freedom, perceived source derogation, counterarguing, and most importantly, reactance enhanced inoculations result in lesser attitude change—the ultimate measure of resistance.

Ivanov, B., Miller, C. H., Sims, J. D., Harrison, K. J., Compton, J., Parker, K. A., Parker, J. L., Averbeck, J. M., Emery, B. & Smith, J. (2011, November). Boosting the potency of resistance: Combining the motivational forces of inoculation and psychological reactance [paper presentation]. National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA, United States.