Which defense mechanism is defined as redirecting thoughts, feelings, and impulses?

Which defense mechanism is defined as redirecting thoughts, feelings, and impulses?

• A. Displacement
• B. Projection
• C. Sublimation
• D. Symbolization

Answer: (A)

Redirecting emotional energy away from the original source to a safer or more acceptable target is displacement. It captures the idea of moving thoughts, feelings, or impulses from something that triggers anxiety or conflict to something or someone less threatening, rather than dealing with the source itself. For example, a person who feels anger toward a supervisor might snap at a family member at home; the emotion is real, but the outlet is shifted to a different target. This fits best because it emphasizes the relocation of the emotional response rather than changing its nature. Other mechanisms involve different processes: projection is about putting one's own unacceptable feelings onto others, sublimation channels impulses into socially valued activities, and symbolization uses symbols to express internal wishes. While related, none describe simply redirecting the energy to a new target as displacement does.

Redirecting emotional energy away from the original source to a safer or more acceptable target is displacement. It captures the idea of moving thoughts, feelings, or impulses from something that triggers anxiety or conflict to something or someone less threatening, rather than dealing with the source itself. For example, a person who feels anger toward a supervisor might snap at a family member at home; the emotion is real, but the outlet is shifted to a different target.

This fits best because it emphasizes the relocation of the emotional response rather than changing its nature. Other mechanisms involve different processes: projection is about putting one's own unacceptable feelings onto others, sublimation channels impulses into socially valued activities, and symbolization uses symbols to express internal wishes. While related, none describe simply redirecting the energy to a new target as displacement does.