Transforming an anxiety-producing impulse into its opposite is which defense mechanism?

• A. Reaction-Formation
• B. Projection
• C. Denial
• D. Repression

Answer: (A)

Transforming an anxiety-producing impulse into its opposite is a defense mechanism called reaction-formation. It happens when an uncomfortable or unacceptable feeling is acknowledged only unconsciously, and a person acts in a way that is the complete reverse of that impulse to lessen anxiety and protect self-image. For example, someone who secretly feels anger toward a coworker might act unusually kind and overly friendly toward them. The idea is that by displaying the opposite behavior, the person distances themselves from the unwanted feeling and reduces internal conflict.

Other defenses involve different moves: projection would involve attributing one’s own unwanted feeling to someone else, denial is refusing to accept that the impulse exists, and repression is pushing the impulse out of conscious awareness. Reaction-formation stands out because the explicit behavior actually mirrors the opposite of the hidden impulse rather than simply ignoring it, blaming others, or burying it.