These two studies investigated the relationship of psychological reactance to the eight developmental stages according to the theory of Erik Erikson. More reactant individuals were found to be less psychosocially healthy, less positive and more negative in developmental state attitudes, less trusting, more autonomous, possessing a greater sense of identity, and less intimate than less reactant individuals. Verbally reactant individuals were found to be more psychosocially healthy whereas behaviorally reactant individuals were found to be less psychosocially healthy. It appears that reactant individuals have elevated autonomy and identity over trust and intimacy. Reactance appears to derive from the earlier developmental stages more than the later stages.