Persuasion target-related variables and compliance resistance in different interpersonal influence situations

Abstract

The current study investigated compliance resistance in various interpersonal contexts. The 242 respondents who answered an online questionnaire were asked to recall a situation where they refused to comply with a request and to rate the degree of their compliance resistance. They also rated certain factors that were predicted to be related to noncompliance. Results indicated that the three dimensions of self-perceived credibility, intention to refuse compliance, and perceived control over refusal to comply had statistically significant correlations with compliance resistance. Two relational components—immediate interpersonal trust and relational closeness—also had statistically significant correlations with the strength of refusal to comply. Post hoc analysis demonstrated that four of the variables tested in the current study could serve as predictors of compliance resistance.

Keywords

• compliance resistance
• noncompliance
• compliance gaining
• interpersonal influence