reaction formation
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Related to reaction formation: Defense mechanisms
reaction formation
[rē′ak·shən fȯr‚mā·shən] (psychology)
A defense mechanism, characterized by the development of conscious, socially acceptable activity which is the antithesis of repressed or rejected unconscious desires.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.