What does reaction formation involve in terms of behavior?

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism wherein an individual behaves in a manner that is directly opposite to their actual feelings or impulses that provoke anxiety. This behavior often arises to protect oneself from the discomfort of acknowledging those true feelings, particularly if they are socially unacceptable or cause guilt.

For instance, a person who feels anger or resentment towards someone might instead behave in an excessively friendly manner towards that person, thus obscuring their true emotions. This mechanism serves as a way to cope with feelings that could lead to distress or conflict. Therefore, the definition of reaction formation aligns perfectly with the description of behaving in a way that contradicts those anxiety-inducing feelings.