Jonathan didn't want a dog, but his girlfriend got one anyway. Now, his friends note that he is extremely overprotective of the animal. He may be exhibiting ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A reaction formation is a behavioral defense mechanism in which an individual exhibits the opposite behavior or attitude of what they feel. In this case, Jonathan may have initially not wanted the dog, but now that he has it, he may be exhibiting overprotective behavior as a way to compensate for his previous disinterest.

Jonathan Didn't Want a Dog, but His Girlfriend Got One