A boy and a girl aged 11 are constantly bickering, and say that they hate each other. Yet you suspect that they actually like each other. Their behavior is an example of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual acts in a manner opposite to their actual feelings or impulses, often to hide their true feelings. In this case, the bickering and expressions of hate could be a way to mask their actual fondness for each other.

A Boy and a Girl Aged 11 Are Constantly Bickering