Reaction Formation

Reaction Formation

Definition of Reaction Formation

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Reaction Formation: A psychological mechanism which emerges when failure is imminent. Albert Cohen, for example, found that lower-class boys often turned middle-class values, the very values causing them to fail, on their head. There was a certain degree of nihilism; rather than taking money to purchase things they needed, they may throw the money away, give it to others, or purchase useless articles. Or, rather than valuing the middle-class sofa, they might defecate on it.

Reaction Formation: Resources

Notes and References

  • Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Reaction Formation. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada

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