A religious leader in a small city led a crusade against local X-rated movie theaters, topless dance bars, and strip clubs, often leading groups of angry citizens to storm the buildings and threaten to shut them down. After a great deal of publicity, however, the newspaper published photos of the same man frequenting strip clubs and patronizing prostitutes in a neighboring state. Sigmund Freud would explain this man's behavior as an example of: A. regression. B. sublimation. C. displacement. D. reaction formation.

D. reaction formation.

A religious leader in a small city led a crusade against local X-rated movie theaters, topless dance bars, and strip clubs, often leading groups of angry citizens to storm the buildings and threaten to shut them down. After a great deal of publicity, however, the newspaper published photos of the same man frequenting strip clubs and patronizing prostitutes in a neighboring state. Sigmund Freud would explain this man's behavior as an example of reaction formation.

Explanation:

Reaction formation is a defence mechanism which occurs when a person feels an urge to do or say something and they actually does or says something that is effectively the opposite of what they really want. It appears as a defense against a feared social punishment. Fear to be criticized for something.

For example : A person who is angry with a colleague actually ends up being particularly courteous and friendly towards them.

As in the above mentioned scenario, Sigmund Freud would explain this man's behavior as an example of reaction formation.