Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

What type of defense mechanism is often associated with the tendency to deny one's own feelings toward someone?

1. Repression

2. Suppression

3. Reaction formation

4. Projection

The correct answer is: Reaction formation

The correct answer is reaction formation, which is a defense mechanism that involves the conscious denial of one's true feelings by expressing the opposite feelings. This occurs when individuals feel uncomfortable with their true emotions, such as feelings of affection, anger, or jealousy, and instead present behaviors that contradict those feelings. For instance, if someone has feelings of resentment toward a colleague, instead of acknowledging those feelings, they might go out of their way to be excessively kind or accommodating to that person. This outward expression of friendliness serves as a way to shield their true feelings from themselves and others, effectively denying the existence of any negative emotions. Understanding reaction formation can help in therapeutic settings, as it allows practitioners to observe discrepancies between a client’s expressed thoughts and their underlying feelings, providing a deeper insight into their emotional state. This awareness aids in fostering healthier emotional expressions and processing feelings in a constructive manner.