Basic Human Instinct

We tend to defy instructions when we’re told not to do something. An amusing example of this is the ‘Do Not Read the Next Sentence’ shirt, which prompts people to eagerly attempt to read the forbidden words. Research shows that when someone is told not to do something, they’re more likely to be motivated to do it.

This behavior is known as reactance, a psychological mechanism that arises from our need to maintain control over our lives. The brain seeks to ensure that we’re free to do as we want. As a result, telling someone not to do something may make them more determined to do it.