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Acting out is a psychological term meaning to perform an action to express (often subconscious) emotional conflicts. The acting done is usually anti-social and may take the form of acting on the impulses of an addiction (eg. drinking, drug taking or shoplifting) or in a means designed (often unconsciously or semi-consciously) to garner attention (eg. throwing a tantrum or behaving promiscuously).

The action performed is usually destructive to self or others and may inhibit the development of more constructive responses to the feelings.