reaction formation

[ ree-ak-shuhn fawr-mey-shuhn ]

noun

, Psychoanalysis, Psychology.

1. a defense mechanism in which a repressed impulse is expressed through behavior that is in direct opposition:

   An inferiority complex manifesting as narcissistic personalty disorder is a classic reaction formation.

reaction formation

noun

1. psychoanal a defence mechanism by which a person at a conscious level condemns a repressed wish: thus, a latent homosexual may denounce homosexuality

Word History and Origins

Origin of reaction formation¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Now we know from neuropsychology that burning ambition in later years represents a reaction formation to infantile bed wetting.

From Project Gutenberg

But in general it is necessary to separate from each other sublimation and reaction formation as two diverse processes.

From Project Gutenberg