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Definition
Resistance/reactance is defined as both state and trait qualities identifying the degree to which individuals do not follow, oppose, or refuse to accept advocated change.
Introduction
In psychotherapy, clients often do not follow the therapist’s suggestions or comply with the interventions used even though the benefits of cooperation seem obvious. When these things occur, it is common that therapists label the clients as being “resistant.” From a perspective of psychotherapy, “resistance” can be situationally induced and transitory, but the propensity to react may also reflect an enduring characteristic of personality. On the one hand, the resistance may persist less because it is a reflection of an internal defect as it is the failure of the therapist to take the time needed to adequately assure a fearful client that his/her compliance may both be safe and embedded with unseen benefits. This type of resistance may simply be stimulated by therapist...
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References
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Kimpara, S., Lenore, S., Beutler, L.E. (2017). Resistance. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_849-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_849-1
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