Despite expressing strong anti-homosexual feelings and attitudes in public, John Wayne Gacy sexually assaulted and killed over 30 young boys. Freud might argue that Gacy was using which of the following defence mechanisms to conceal his homosexual tendencies?

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Reaction formation involves unconsciously taking on an opposing view or behavior to hide unacceptable impulses or urges. In the case of John Wayne Gacy, he publicly expressed strong anti-homosexual feelings and attitudes, which can be seen as a reaction formation to cover up his own suppressed homosexual tendencies.

Despite Expressing Strong Anti-Homosexual Feelings and Attitudes in Public, John