Which defense mechanism involves acting opposite to one's true feelings to avoid anxiety?

The defense mechanism that involves acting in a way that is opposite to one's true feelings is known as reaction formation. This mechanism helps individuals manage anxiety by substituting their true feelings with exaggerated or opposite behaviors. For example, a person who feels hostility towards someone may display excessive friendliness towards them instead. This behavior serves to protect the individual from the distress that would arise from acknowledging and expressing those true feelings.

Reaction formation allows a person to cope with emotions that may be socially unacceptable or anxiety-provoking. By exhibiting overtly opposite behaviors, individuals can maintain a façade that prevents them from confronting uncomfortable emotions directly. This mechanism highlights the complexity of human emotion regulation and illustrates how individuals can unconsciously navigate their feelings to maintain emotional equilibrium.