How might Reaction Formation manifest in a workplace setting?

In a workplace setting, reaction formation can manifest as individuals exhibiting overly positive attitudes towards projects or tasks that they actually dislike or have negative feelings about. This psychological defense mechanism involves transforming unexpressed feelings into their opposites. Instead of openly expressing dissatisfaction or frustration about a disliked project, an employee might go out of their way to portray enthusiasm, support, and a positive demeanor.

This behavior can serve as a way to cope with uncomfortable feelings by adopting a more socially acceptable, albeit insincere, stance. By overly supporting a project they secretly do not like, they may be attempting to shield themselves from their true feelings of dislike or frustration, making it a classic example of reaction formation in action.

Other options do not represent reaction formation effectively. Open communication typically encourages honest expression of feelings, which contrasts with the defensive nature of reaction formation. Adhering to strict rules can denote compliance or a structured environment rather than a defense mechanism. Voicing true frustrations is a direct expression of emotions, which is the opposite of what happens in reaction formation, where true feelings are hidden behind a facade.