Typologies of rejected requests and compliance-resistance strategies in various interpersonal influence contexts

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined compliance resistance to highlight the active role of persuasion targets in interpersonal influence interactions. The data gathered from 242 respondents through an online questionnaire were used to identify the types of rejected requests and the strategies used to refuse compliance. Findings from a qualitative content analysis revealed four categories that formed a request typology: requests (1) for company or presence, (2) for action (benefitting the agent, benefitting other people), (3) for material support, and (4) for relational commitment. The messages utilized to communicate compliance resistance were grouped into two: refusals (1) with another verbal message and (2) with no other remark. The verbal expressions of refusal belonging to the first category were each accompanied by a simple explanation, a message of apology and/or gratitude, an offer of future commitment, or a proposal of alternative. The various kinds of denied requests and the different techniques persuasion targets use to convey noncompliance demonstrate that refusal to comply is not merely a passive reaction to a compliance-gaining effort.