Resistance theory. As applied to schools, this term refers to the ways in which students actively or passively resist learning. Reasons for this resistance may be varied, from cultural or linguistic differences to perceptions that the knowledge taught is meaningless and imposed. Resistance can take a variety of forms, from acting out, to refusing to complete schoolwork or other assignments, to dropping out of school altogether. Although resistance is rarely intentional on the part of a student, it can be extremely effective either in disrupting or preventing learning or in developing alternative ways of coping within schools.