Reaction formation

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In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which anxiety-producing or unacceptable emotions are replaced by their direct opposites. This mechanism is often characteristic of obsessional neuroses. When this mechanism is overused, especially during the formation of the ego, it can become a permanent character trait. This is often in those with obsessional character and obsessive personality disorders. This does not imply that its periodic usage is always obsessional, but that it can lead to obsessional behavior.

[edit] Examples

A man who is overly aroused by pornographic material who utilizes reaction formation to take on an attitude of criticism toward the topic may sacrifice many of the positive things in his life including family relationships by traveling around the country to anti-pornography rallies. This view may become an obsession, whereby the man eventually does nothing but travel from rally to rally speaking out against pornography. He continues to do this but only feels temporary relief because the deeply rooted arousal to an unacceptable behavior such as watching pornography is still present and underlying the implementation of the defense. At that point he can be said to have developed an obsessional personality above and beyond the defense mechanism.

It has been speculated that an example of Reaction formation is homosexuals acquiring hateful views toward homosexuality, thus turning them into homophobes..