reaction-formation (Reaktionsbildung) In psychoanalysis, a psychological attitude that is the direct opposite of the repressed wish (see repression). So an outgoing and exhibitionist person might act bashful and coy. The reaction-formation is a counter-cathexis, a conscious outlet for desire that is equivalent to or stronger than the usual unconscious pathways. Reaction-formations are regarded as pathological or symptomatic only when they take on an obsessive character, or the actual results are in themselves undesirable (e.g. a shy person suddenly becoming overly exhibitionist).