reactance

[ree-ak-tuhns]

noun

1. Electricity.,  the opposition of inductance and capacitance to alternating current, expressed in ohms: equal to the product of the sine of the angular phase difference between current and voltage and the ratio of the effective voltage to the effective current. X

2. Acoustics.,  acoustic reactance.

reactance

/ rɪˈæktəns /

noun

1. the opposition to the flow of alternating current by the capacitance or inductance of an electrical circuit; the imaginary part of the impedance Z , Z = R + i X , where R is the resistance, i = √–1, and X is the reactance. It is expressed in ohms Compare resistance

2. the opposition to the flow of an acoustic or mechanical vibration, usually due to inertia or stiffness. It is the magnitude of the imaginary part of the acoustic or mechanical impedance

Word History and Origins

Origin of reactance¹

First recorded in 1890–95; react + -ance

Example Sentences

A communication strategy that is sensitive to psychological reactance could empower the holdouts to willingly get vaccinated instead of grudgingly comply with a mandate.

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As psychological reactance theory predicts, injunctions are more likely to elicit counterargument than acceptance; as the proverb tells us, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

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A common thread could be what behavioral scientists call “psychological reactance,” more commonly known as reverse psychology.

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When people experience psychological reactance, they generally become more set in their ways—even if they’re being told those ways are “wrong.”

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The reason behind this idea has to do with the psychology of “reactance”: Essentially, when we think something is limited to us, we tend to want it more.

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