A person speaking about a rival for a significant other's ...

[Lisaclaire]

A person speaking about a rival for a significant other's affection says in an emotional, syrupy voice, What a lovely person. That's someone I simply adore. The individual is demonstrating:
 
  a. reaction formation.
  b. repression.
  c. projection.
  d. denial.

Question 2

Two staff nurses applied for promotion to nurse manager. The nurse not promoted initially had feelings of loss but then became supportive of the new manager by helping make the transition smooth and encouraging others.
 
  Which term best describes the nurse's response?
 
  a. Altruism
  b. Suppression
  c. Intellectualization
  d. Reaction formation

[sarajane1989]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Reaction formation is an unconscious mechanism that keeps unacceptable feelings out of awareness by using the opposite behavior. Instead of expressing hatred for the other person, the individual gives praise. Denial operates unconsciously to allow an anxiety-producing idea, feeling, or situation to be ignored. Projection involves unconsciously disowning an unacceptable idea, feeling, or behavior by attributing it to another. Repression involves unconsciously placing an idea, feeling, or event out of awareness.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Altruism is the mechanism by which an individual deals with emotional conflict by meeting the needs of others and receiving gratification vicariously or from the responses of others. The nurse's reaction is conscious rather than unconscious. There is no evidence of suppression. Intellectualization is a process in which events are analyzed based on remote, cold facts and without passion, rather than incorporating feeling and emotion into the processing. Reaction formation is when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are controlled and kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior or emotion.