Reaction Formation (Noun)
Meaning
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously develops attitudes and behavior that are the opposite of unacceptable repressed desires and impulses and serve to conceal them; "his strict morality is just a reaction formation to hide his sexual drive".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The politician's strong stance against corruption was seen as a reaction formation, hiding her own history of embezzlement and shady dealings.
- Her sudden outspoken denunciation of swear words seemed to be a reaction formation to conceal her own repressed desire to use profanity.
- The individual's obsessive adherence to veganism and environmental causes was believed to be a reaction formation to mask his own guilt over carbon-intensive hobbies and meat-eating habits.
- His overly aggressive masculine attitude was interpreted as a reaction formation to cover up his hidden feelings of vulnerability and sensitivity.
- The strong anti-tobacco activist's vehement speeches against smoking were seen by some as a reaction formation to distract from her own secret struggle with nicotine addiction.