Synonyms
Definition
Reaction formation (RF) is a defense mechanism that substitutes an internally or externally threatening or unwanted thought or feeling with its diametrical opposite (Perry 1990).
Introduction
Reaction formation is a defense mechanism. Defense mechanisms (DMs) are automatic and unconscious psychological processes that direct individuals’ reactions to conflict and stress, whether arising from external or internal sources (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition, 2013). DMs are considered to be a normal and ubiquitous part of human development. Individual defenses also can be hierarchically arranged by their general level of adaptiveness. Conceptually and empirically, there are eight levels of defensive functioning. Within the hierarchy, defenses are grouped into different levels based on common functions. These levels include the psychotic (0), action (1), major image-distorting (2),...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
American Psychiatry Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Andrews, G., Singh, M., & Bond, M. (1993). The defense style questionnaire. Journal of Nervous Mental Disorders, 181, 246–256.
Baumeister, R. F., Dale, K., & Sommer, K. L. (1998). Freudian defense mechanisms and empirical findings in modern social psychology: Reaction formation, projection, displacement, undoing, isolation, sublimation, and denial. Journal of Personality, 66(6), 1081–1124.
Busch, F. N., Shear, M. K., Cooper, A. M., Shapiro, T., & Leon, A. C. (1995). An empirical study of defense mechanisms in panic disorder. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 183, 299–303.
Carter, J. D., Joyce, P. R., Mulder, R. T., & Luty, S. E. (2001). The contribution of temperament, childhood neglect, and abuse to the development of personality dysfunction: A comparison of three models. Journal of Personality Disorders, 15(2), 123.
Freud, S. (1894). The neuro-psychoses of defense. The complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud. London: Hogarth Press, Ltd. 1964, 3, 45–61.
Freud, A. (1946). The ego and the mechanisms of defence. New York: International Universities Press.
Hilsenroth, M. J., Callahan, K. L., & Eudell, E. M. (2003). Further reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of overall defensive functioning. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 191(11), 730–737.
Johansen, P. Ø., Krebs, T. S., Svartberg, M., Stiles, T. C., & Holen, A. (2011). Change in defense mechanisms during short-term dynamic and cognitive therapy in patients with cluster C personality disorders. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 199(9), 712–715.
Kramer, U., de Roten, Y., Perry, J. C., & Despland, J. N. (2009). Specificities of defense mechanisms in bipolar affective disorder: Relations with symptoms and therapeutic alliance. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197(9), 675–681.
Kuchenhoff, J. (1993). Defensive mechanisms and defensive organization: Their role in adaptation to the acute stage of Crohn’s disease. In U. Hentschedl, G. J. W. Smith, W. Ehlers, & J. G. Graguns (Eds.), The concept of defense mechanisms in contemporary psychology (pp. 412–423). Berlin: Springer.
Perry, J. C. (1990). Defense mechanism rating scales. Boston: The Cambridge Hospital.
Perry, J. C. (2014). Anomalies and specific functions in the clinical identification of defense mechanisms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(5), 406–418.
Perry, J.C., Bond, M. (2012). Change in defense mechanisms during long-term dynamic psychotherapy and five-year outcome. Am J Psychiatry 169, 916–925.
Perry, J.C., Cooper, S.H. (1989). An empirical study of defense mechanisms: I. Clinical interview and life vignette ratings. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 444–452.
Perry JC, Metzger J, Sigal JJ. (2015). Defensive Functioning in women with breast cancer and community controls. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 78, 156–169.
Pollock, C., & Andrews, G. (1989). Defense styles associated with specific anxiety disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1500–1502.
Rubino, I. A., Biancone, L., Zardo, E., Zanna, V., Saya, A., & Ciani, N. (1999). Perceptual defense mechanisms in Crohn’s disease and panic disorder. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 88(3 Pt 1), 733–743.
Vaillant, G. E. (1977). Adaptation to life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Minges, M.V., Starrs, C.J., Perry, J.C. (2017). Reaction Formation (Defense Mechanism). In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1420-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1420-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences