People who know Paul always think he is mean spirited and arrogant. Little did they know that his cold and aloof attitude is a defense mechanism because he is insecure and is afraid of being criticized. To protect himself, Paul is using the defense mechanism called
A) avoidance.
B) distancing.
C) overly critical communication.
D) reaction formation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which an individual expresses the opposite of their true feelings or impulses. In this case, Paul's cold and aloof attitude is a defense mechanism against his insecurity and fear of criticism.

People Who Know Paul Always Think He Is Mean Spirited