Question

Sigmund is very interested in his neighbor Sally but has much anxiety about his attraction to her because his friends would not approve. Every time he sees her, he acts very rude and says mean things to her despite his intense attraction to her. This is an example of what type of defense mechanism?

rationalization
reaction formation
displacement
sublimation

Answer 1

Reaction formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is an example of reaction formation defense mechanism. According to the Psychoanalytic Theory this a defense mechanism. Defense mechanisms are subconsciously used to prevent the arousal of anxiety. The anxiety that the attraction to Sally produces in Sigmund is mastered by the exaggeration of the opposite reaction.