Which defense mechanism involves expressing an opposite emotion to what is truly felt, such as showing excessive warmth when angry?

Which defense mechanism involves expressing an opposite emotion to what is truly felt, such as showing excessive warmth when angry?

• A. Denial
• B. Projection
• C. Rationalization
• D. Reaction formation

Answer: (D)

Reaction formation is expressing an opposite emotion to what is truly felt. In this case, anger is converted into excessive warmth, so the person behaves in an unusually friendly and approving way toward someone they actually feel hostile toward. This defense helps reduce anxiety by masking the uncomfortable feeling with a socially acceptable display, preventing open conflict and protecting self-image. For contrast: denial would involve refusing to acknowledge the feeling; projection would attribute the anger to someone else; rationalization would offer logical excuses to justify the feeling.

Reaction formation is expressing an opposite emotion to what is truly felt. In this case, anger is converted into excessive warmth, so the person behaves in an unusually friendly and approving way toward someone they actually feel hostile toward. This defense helps reduce anxiety by masking the uncomfortable feeling with a socially acceptable display, preventing open conflict and protecting self-image.

For contrast: denial would involve refusing to acknowledge the feeling; projection would attribute the anger to someone else; rationalization would offer logical excuses to justify the feeling.