Reaction formation

In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which anxiety-producing or unacceptable emotions are replaced by their direct opposites. For example, one who is strongly attracted to pornography, but has moral or religious obligations to avoid it, might become a staunch critic of it.

It has been speculated that many homophobes have repressed homosexual feelings; this could be an example of reaction formation. It doesn't mean, of course, that every person that opposes to homosexuality is doing that because of a reaction formation.

In Ken Wilber's developmental ontology (outlined in his book Integral Psychology), reaction formation is considered a neurotic defense. Arising from issues of self-concept, it is amenable to uncovering and interpretive therapies.