Which defense mechanism involves transferring feelings from the original source of distress to a substitute target?

Which defense mechanism involves transferring feelings from the original source of distress to a substitute target?

• A. Denial
• B. Displacement
• C. Projection
• D. Repression

Answer: (B)

Displacement is the defense where feelings directed at the real source of distress are redirected to a safer, substitute target. This lets you vent or express intense emotions without confronting the original source directly. For example, someone who feels anger toward a difficult boss might come home and snap at a family member, transferring the emotion to a less threatening target. This differs from denial (refusing to accept reality), repression (pushing distressing thoughts out of awareness), or projection (attributing your own unacceptable feelings to someone else rather than redirecting them). The key idea is shifting the emotional energy from what’s really provoking it to someone or something else that’s safer to react to.

Displacement is the defense where feelings directed at the real source of distress are redirected to a safer, substitute target. This lets you vent or express intense emotions without confronting the original source directly. For example, someone who feels anger toward a difficult boss might come home and snap at a family member, transferring the emotion to a less threatening target. This differs from denial (refusing to accept reality), repression (pushing distressing thoughts out of awareness), or projection (attributing your own unacceptable feelings to someone else rather than redirecting them). The key idea is shifting the emotional energy from what’s really provoking it to someone or something else that’s safer to react to.