What is Reaction formation as a Defense Mechanism we Use to Protect Ourselves?

You ever been in a situation where you acted nicely to someone you hate? Or someone who preaches about morality is caught up in a controversial immoral drama like a Sex act?  

The above is Reaction formation defense mechanism in Play. 

What’s the meaning of Reaction Formation defense mechanisms. 

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which an individual acts and behaves in a manner that is opposite to his true feelings and desires.  

This is, especially, employed when the original Impulse is unacceptable to the conscious mind or might lead to discomfort and feelings pf anxiety to the mind. 

Instead of acting the original impulse we React with an opposite one, and especially in an exaggerated manner. 

In Reaction formation, the authentic wish or desire and feeling is repressed and it’s opposite presented in an exaggerated and showy manner. 

Features of Reaction Formation. 

• It’s Unconscious in Nature- like other defense mechanisms, it’s unconscious and the individual might not be aware that he/she’s employing them.

• As a rule, the ego knows nothing of the rejection of the impulse or of the whole conflict which has resulted in the implanting of the new characteristic.”       ~Anna Freud

• Expressed in an Exaggerated Way- Most reaction formation – driven actions and behaviours tend to be expressed in a manner that may be showy or over done. 
• Might be Compulsive and Rigid in Nature- With the repressed traits or feelings being anxiety a arousing, the individuals tend to become rigid in their thinking, feeling or actions. This may make it hard for them to adapt. This may lead to other traits such as being defensive or resistant to change. 
• It’s A Byproduct of Repression. – Reaction formation comes after the original anxiety arousing impulse or trait is repressed from the Conscious mind. 
• It protects one against both External and internal threats. Both External threats to self-esteem and internal threats that may arise from cognitive dissonance, or feelings of guilt and shame from the Super Ego. 
• It involves a contradiction between authentic feelings and expressed actions, real impulse and the expressed impulse and real traits and expressed behaviour. There is a mismatch between the original instinct and their opposite derivative.  

Examples of Reaction formation in Real Lives. 

The Hyper Moralists- Individuals who always preach about moral values such as Chastity and Purity but have crude repressed sexual desires. 

The Persecuters- They hate any form of injustice but have a repressed aggressive side to them. 

The Altruist- The individual who give to others but has a repressed selfish side to him. 

The Hyper independent – Individuals tend to be overly independent but have a repressed yearning or desire to be helped. 

The People pleaser – An individual who tend to be calm and even smiling when wronged contrary to the opposite repressed anger in their unconscious mind. 

The Money Moralists- Individuals who overtly express their contempt for money, that it’s evil, rich people are evil yet have a repressed strong desire for money. 

The Mysgonist- An individual who fails to establish a healthy relationship with women represses his desires and starts expressing sexists and mysgonistic remarks about women.  

The True Friends An individual who overtly acts friendly to friends or relatives but has a repressed side of him/her that dislike them. 

Someone who seemingly appears joyful over a friend’s success contrary to his repressed envious feeling. 

After being wronged, one may say “I’m not even angry” or refuse to acknowledge his anger that has been repressed by seemingly appearing cool and Cheerful. 

A friend who appears overtly Supportive to a friend’s initiative to mask the authentic feelings pf jealousy. 

Example of Authentic Vs Reaction formed Impulses; 

1. Authentic : Strong feelings of Anger that’s repressed. 

Reaction Formed: Overly agreeable and cheerful. 

2. Authentic : Repressed shy traits. 

Reaction Formed: Excessive Confidence. 

3. Authentic : Strong Romantic Feelings to someone. 

Reaction formed : Acting non- interested or even rude. 

4. Authentic : Secret Attraction/Desire for someone or something eg; money

Reaction Formed: Extreme contempt for the thing. 

5. Authentic; Fear of criticism 

Reaction Formed: Being a hyper perfectionist

6. Authentic Impulse: A repressed Fear of Death. 

Reaction formed; Great proponent of life after death. 

7. Authentic : Feeling Helpless but fears Betrayal. 

Reaction Formed: Developing a Hyper Independent mindset. 

In Reaction formation, the original impulse does not disappear but remains repressed in the unconscious in it’s original form. The Reaction formed hence only acts as a mask not a substitute eg dislike to love. 

What is the role of Reaction formation? 

• Like any other defense mechanism, Reaction formation helps to alleviate feelings of discomfort such as guilt, shame and anxiety from the mind. 
• Our brains love consistency, and Reaction formation helps to maintain that, which would otherwise be caused by the problem of Ambivalence. 
• Helps to protect one’s Self-esteem. 
• Helps to prevent the resurfacing of the original repressed impulse ie; Wish, desire, emotion or thought from within. 

What’s the effect or Reaction formation?  

1. Even though reaction formation helps to minimize or alleviate anxiety, it may itself be a source of anxiety for the problem itself hasn’t been fully solved and the carthexis psychic energy required through the process may have a heavy torment on the psyche. 

2. It may also hinder growth that would otherwise be possible had we acknowledged the original impulse. 

3. Thinking, feeling and acting in a manner that’s contrary to our authentic thoughts, feelings and emotions kills the authentic version of us. 

In a nutshell, Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which an unacceptable belief, attitude, emotion, behaviour, wish or desire is repressed to the unconscious mind and it’s opposite expressed in an exaggerated. This helps to protect our minds from both external and internal threats.