Mark is obsessed with stamping out pornography. He is unconsciously involved in this cause so that he can view the material. This is which defense mechanism?

Mark is obsessed with stamping out pornography. He is unconsciously involved in this cause so that he can view the material. This is which defense mechanism?

• A. Projection
• B. Sublimation
• C. Reaction formation
• D. Compensation

Answer: (C)

Reaction formation is a defense in which an unwanted impulse is transformed into its opposite, often to reduce anxiety about that impulse. In this scenario, Mark has an unconscious urge to view pornography, but he outwardly crusades to stamp it out. That opposite behavior—ardent opposition to pornography despite privately desiring it—fits reaction formation: the anxious impulse is masked by a seemingly contradictory stance. The other mechanisms don’t fit as well. Projection would involve attributing his own feelings to others, sublimation would channel the impulse into a constructive outlet, and compensation would focus on offsetting a weakness rather than expressing an opposite stance to conceal an impulse.

Reaction formation is a defense in which an unwanted impulse is transformed into its opposite, often to reduce anxiety about that impulse. In this scenario, Mark has an unconscious urge to view pornography, but he outwardly crusades to stamp it out. That opposite behavior—ardent opposition to pornography despite privately desiring it—fits reaction formation: the anxious impulse is masked by a seemingly contradictory stance.

The other mechanisms don’t fit as well. Projection would involve attributing his own feelings to others, sublimation would channel the impulse into a constructive outlet, and compensation would focus on offsetting a weakness rather than expressing an opposite stance to conceal an impulse.