Final answer:
The defense mechanism that best illustrates a person unconsciously identifying as homosexual but consciously identifying as straight is reaction formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The defense mechanism that best illustrates a person unconsciously identifying as homosexual but consciously identifying as straight, and reporting more negative attitudes toward gays than most people do, is reaction formation. Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which someone expresses feelings, thoughts, and behaviors opposite to their inclinations. For example, Joe, who deep down feels sexually attracted to males but consciously believes that being gay is wrong, may make gay jokes and pick on a gay peer to further submerge his unconscious impulses.