Most say being told they have to do something puts them off, even tasks they don't mind
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. For a task they'd otherwise be fine doing, 81.4% of Americans say being told they have to do it would make them less willing, including 20.5% who wouldn't want to do it at all. Just 7.8% say it makes no difference.
Much less willing accounts for 23.7%, somewhat less 22.5% and a little less 14.7%. Another 10.8% don't know.
Topline distribution
Most say being told they have to do something puts them off, even tasks they don't mind.
How does that change how willing you are to do it?
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.4%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 25–30, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.4% |
| Module | Technology, Security, and Global Affairs |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
How does that change how willing you are to do it?
Cite this question
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.