Adaptive rebellion
Adaptive rebellion is resistance that occurs when a person perceives change, pressure or command as a threat to autonomy.
Definition
Adaptive rebellion is a practical concept, close to psychological reactance. Reactance occurs when a person feels that their freedom of choice is being limited and may lead to opposition, counter-arguments, anger or a desire to regain control. In a healthy form, resistance protects autonomy. In an unfavorable form, it can sabotage the change even when the change would be beneficial.
Practice and life
When you feel rebellious towards good advice, stop and say: am I opposing the content or the form of the pressure? Then choose your own course of action, rather than reacting with an automatic "no."
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to treat all rebellion as immaturity. It is also a mistake to assume that the mere fact of pressure means that the proposal is bad.
> Sometimes resistance doesn't mean "I don't want what's good", but "don't take away my choice".
> — Guru Element