Although the degree to which people conform is surprising, research also indicates that people sometimes resist social influence. When social pressure becomes so restrictive that it threatens people’s sense of freedom, they may experience reactance, which is a desire to protect or restore one's freedom of action, and may rebel against the social pressure.

For example, if a teen’s parents put strong pressure on him not to smoke or drink, it may actually have a boomerang effect; the teen may express more favorable attitudes toward smoking or drinking, merely to protect his sense of freedom. Resistance may be particularly strong when the issue is important and people believe they have the right to choose for themselves.

Studies also suggest the pressure to conform may have limits even when the issues are not related to individual freedom. People do not want to appear too different from others, but they do not want to appear too similar either. They like to think of themselves as nonconformists. If all your friends are dressing the same way, listening to the same type of music, or using the same slang expressions, you may decide to do something different. You may resist the pressure to conform in an attempt to maintain your distinctiveness and sense of individuality.