Question

Bryce often acts so daring and overly confident that few people realize he is actually riddled with unconscious insecurity and self-doubt. Bryce best illustrates the use of a defense mechanism known as

a) regression
b) projection
c) displacement
d) reaction formation

Answer 1

The answer is D. Reaction formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In psychology, the concept reaction formation is used to describe a psychologic defense mechanism. When a person believes that his or her feelings, characteristics or desires, are socially unacceptable, he or she will try to "cover" them, by acting or demonstrating what is thought to be the opposite of how he really is.

In Bryce's case, reaction formation appears when he tries to convince others, and perhaps himself also, that he is confident and daring, in an attempt to hide his unconscious insecurity and self-doubt.