Question

Gwen tells her college roommate lindsey that she thinks clowns are disgusting and that she is repulsed by the idea of watching clowns at the circus. deep down inside, however, gwen has always wanted to be a clown but her parents repeatedly said it was a waste of time and not a proper career. which defense mechanism is gwen demonstrating when she speaks badly of clowns?

Answer 1

According to Freud, this is Reaction Formation.
Another example can serve men that are prejudice against homosexuals are actually making a defense against their own homosexual feelings.