Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Which ego defense mechanism involves expressing an opposite emotion?

1. Projection

2. Displacement

3. Reaction formation

4. Sublimation

The correct answer is: Reaction formation

The defense mechanism that involves expressing an opposite emotion is reaction formation. This occurs when an individual has feelings or impulses that are socially unacceptable or anxiety-provoking and instead expresses the opposite emotion or behavior. For instance, a person who feels angry towards a colleague may instead act overly kind and friendly toward them, thereby masking their true feelings. This mechanism serves as a way to protect the individual from the distress associated with the original feelings by transforming them into their opposites. Reaction formation is significant in psychological terms as it highlights how individuals cope with internal conflicts and anxiety by adopting behavior that contradicts their genuine emotions, thus maintaining social acceptability or personal comfort.