What is the defense mechanism where an unacceptable response is transformed into its opposite?

The correct response involves the defense mechanism known as reaction formation. This mechanism occurs when an individual consciously expresses feelings or attitudes that are the opposite of their true feelings or desires, particularly when these true feelings are deemed unacceptable or anxiety-provoking. For example, a person who feels angry towards someone might instead act overly friendly to that person, essentially flipping their genuine feelings to protect themselves from the discomfort associated with the original emotions.

This transformation into the opposite is crucial because it demonstrates how individuals can cope with internal conflict by masking their true feelings. In situations where someone might feel guilt or shame about certain emotions, reaction formation allows them to adopt an attitude that aligns more closely with societal norms or expectations, thus providing a sense of psychological defense.

The other mechanisms listed, such as dissociation, repression, and intellectualization, serve different functions and do not specifically involve expressing opposite feelings. Dissociation might involve distancing oneself from reality or the emotional experience, repression entails pushing unacceptable thoughts or desires out of conscious awareness, and intellectualization focuses on abstract reasoning to avoid emotional experiences rather than transforming an unwanted response into its opposite. Therefore, reaction formation is uniquely characterized by this oppositional response.