Personality and Mood Disorders Q 74
The client joins a support group and frequently preaches against abuse, is demonstrating the use of:
A. Denial
B. Reaction formation
C. Rationalization
D. Projection
Correct Answer: B. Reaction formation
Reaction formation is the adoption of behavior or feelings that are exactly opposite of one’s true emotions. Reaction formation reduces anxiety by taking up the opposite feeling, impulse, or behavior. An example of reaction formation would be treating someone you strongly dislike in an excessively friendly manner in order to hide your true feelings.
Option A: Denial is a refusal to accept a painful reality. Denial is an outright refusal to admit or recognize that something has occurred or is currently occurring. People living with drug or alcohol addiction often deny that they have a problem, while victims of traumatic events may deny that the event ever occurred.
Option C: Rationalization is attempting to justify one’s behavior by presenting reasons that sound logical. Rationalization is a defense mechanism that involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior.
Option D: Projection is attributing one’s behaviors and feelings to another person. Projection is a defense mechanism that involves taking our own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people. For example, if you have a strong dislike for someone, you might instead believe that they do not like you. Projection works by allowing the expression of the desire or impulse, but in a way that the ego cannot recognize, therefore reducing anxiety.