Abstract High-controlling (HC) language is explicit, clear, and efficient; however, it can be perceived as threatening, thus risking rejection. The benefits and drawbacks of using HC language presents a dilemma for message designers. Psychological reactance researchers have begun to examine strategies designed to utilize the virtues of HC language while mitigating the vices. We conducted three experiments to examine the effectiveness of irony as another strategy to achieve such ends. Although the results provide evidence that irony combined with HC language is effective at reducing threat and increasing favorable message evaluations and intentions compared to a HC Literal message, questions still remain if such an approach is any better than using messages with low-controlling (LC) language.

中文翻译：

---

控制语言和讽刺：减少威胁并增加正面信息评估

摘要 高控制（HC）语言明确、清晰、高效；然而，它可能被视为具有威胁性，从而有可能被拒绝。使用 HC 语言的优缺点为消息设计者带来了两难选择。心理反应研究人员已经开始研究旨在利用 HC 语言的优点同时减轻恶习的策略。我们进行了三个实验来检验反讽作为实现这些目标的另一种策略的有效性。尽管结果提供的证据表明，与 HC 文字信息相比，反讽与 HC 语言在减少威胁和增加有利信息评估和意图方面是有效的，但这种方法是否比使用低控制 (LC) 的信息更好仍然存在问题语。