Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which people express the opposite of their true feelings, sometimes to an exaggerated extent. For instance, a man who feels insecure about his masculinity ...

Reaction formation can be defined as the superficial adoption—and, often, exaggeration—of ideas and impulses that are diametrically opposed to one’s own. Examples A man unconsciously finds himself ...

Many people come to therapy with complaints about their relationships, often unaware of the underlying psychological mechanisms at play. They may say things like: “I don’t understand why I’m always so ...