Reaction formation is a psychological defense through which the human psyche turns something into its polar opposite to render it less threatening. So, in the face of “excessive demands and frustration” early in life, instead of feeling angry and rebelling, the One child takes on more responsibility, becoming a very good boy or girl.4 The fundamental fixation to be good and do the right thing motivates the Ones’ focus on “positive” feelings and their denial or repression of their “negative” feelings. Reaction formation serves to relieve the stress of this difficult internal conflict. Focusing
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