Concealing dislike for someone by being overly nice to them is an example of which defense mechanism?

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Prepare for the ECPI Mental Health Exam 1. Use our flashcards and multiple choice questions for study assistance, with hints and detailed explanations included. Achieve exam success!

Multiple Choice

Concealing dislike for someone by being overly nice to them is an example of which defense mechanism?

Explanation:
Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable feelings are expressed as their opposite to reduce anxiety. When you dislike someone but act overly nice toward them, you’re masking the true feeling by overcompensating with kindness, which helps keep the social situation smooth on the surface. This differs from repressing emotions (pushing feelings out of conscious awareness), sublimation (redirecting impulses into a socially acceptable outlet like sports), or denial (refusing to acknowledge reality).

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable feelings are expressed as their opposite to reduce anxiety. When you dislike someone but act overly nice toward them, you’re masking the true feeling by overcompensating with kindness, which helps keep the social situation smooth on the surface. This differs from repressing emotions (pushing feelings out of conscious awareness), sublimation (redirecting impulses into a socially acceptable outlet like sports), or denial (refusing to acknowledge reality).

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