A politician who supported severe efforts to restrict Internet access in his community to prevent the spread of child pornography was arrested and convicted for possession of child pornography. Which defense mechanism best accounts for this paradoxical behavior?

Question

A politician who supported severe efforts to restrict Internet access in his community to prevent the spread of child pornography was arrested and convicted for possession of child pornography. Which defense mechanism best accounts for this paradoxical behavior?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reaction formation is the defense mechanism that involves acting in a manner that is opposite to one's true feelings or desires. In this case, the politician may have felt guilt or shame about his own interest in child pornography and therefore took a strong stance in advocating for restrictions on Internet access to prevent others from engaging in the same behavior. This is a way of deflecting attention from his own behavior and projecting an image of moral righteousness.

A Politician Who Supported Severe Efforts to Restrict Internet Access