Overcompensation
An overcompensating character attempts to make up for a flaw in her character (real or perceived) by stressing another aspect of her personality. This limits her actions and skews her perceptions of the world. She may take a "holier than thou" attitude toward others, lecturing them about their shortcomings, constantly attempting to take the moral high ground. If the character's own flaws are revealed, the embarrassment would be acute and her reaction unpredictable.
