Someone replaces one impulse with its opposite (e.g., love for hate).What defense mechanism may be at work?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The defense mechanism at work in this scenario is reaction formation. This is because reaction formation involves replacing an unacceptable impulse or emotion with its opposite. In this case, the person replaces love with hate, which represents the opposite emotion. Repression involves pushing unacceptable thoughts or emotions out of conscious awareness, projection involves attributing one's own unwanted thoughts or emotions onto someone else, and sublimation involves channeling unacceptable impulses into a socially acceptable form.

Someone Replaces One Impulse with Its Opposite (E