Which defense mechanism involves acting opposite to one's true feelings, with awareness of those feelings?

Which defense mechanism involves acting opposite to one's true feelings, with awareness of those feelings?

• A. Reaction Formation
• B. Regression
• C. Repression
• D. Sublimation

Answer: (A)

Defenses used to cope with anxiety can shape how we act when inner feelings feel threatening. Reaction formation is the pattern where a person, aware of uncomfortable or unacceptable impulses, acts in a way that is the exact opposite of those true feelings. The goal is to reduce internal distress by presenting a persona that contradicts what’s felt inside. For example, someone who secretly feels hostility toward a colleague may respond with exaggerated friendliness and warmth, or a person who feels attraction they deem wrong might push outward displays of virtue and moralizing. This outward opposite behavior helps keep anxiety at bay by masking the real emotion. This differs from other defenses in a few ways. Regression would involve retreating to earlier behavioral patterns, like a childlike dependence. Repression keeps the unwanted feelings out of conscious awareness rather than actively counteracting them with opposite actions. Sublimation redirects the impulse into a socially acceptable outlet that doesn’t require pretending to feel the opposite.

Defenses used to cope with anxiety can shape how we act when inner feelings feel threatening. Reaction formation is the pattern where a person, aware of uncomfortable or unacceptable impulses, acts in a way that is the exact opposite of those true feelings. The goal is to reduce internal distress by presenting a persona that contradicts what’s felt inside. For example, someone who secretly feels hostility toward a colleague may respond with exaggerated friendliness and warmth, or a person who feels attraction they deem wrong might push outward displays of virtue and moralizing. This outward opposite behavior helps keep anxiety at bay by masking the real emotion.

This differs from other defenses in a few ways. Regression would involve retreating to earlier behavioral patterns, like a childlike dependence. Repression keeps the unwanted feelings out of conscious awareness rather than actively counteracting them with opposite actions. Sublimation redirects the impulse into a socially acceptable outlet that doesn’t require pretending to feel the opposite.