Which defense mechanism involves expressing the opposite of what one truly feels to hide the true emotion?

• A. Projection
• B. Regression
• C. Denial
• D. Reaction Formation

Answer: (D)

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which someone hides an uncomfortable or unacceptable feeling by acting in a way that is its complete opposite. The idea is to shield oneself from anxiety by presenting a socially approved attitude rather than the true emotion. For example, someone who feels hostility toward a colleague might go out of their way to be unusually friendly and deferential. This flip to the opposite expression masks the real emotion from themselves and others.

In this question, the behavior described—expressing the opposite of what one truly feels to hide the real emotion—fits this mechanism perfectly.

Other defense strategies mentioned operate differently: projection involves attributing one's own unwanted thoughts to others; regression is a return to earlier, childlike behaviors under stress; denial is refusing to acknowledge the truth of a situation. None of these capture the act of turning feelings into their opposites, which is the hallmark of reaction formation.