Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Displacement is a defense mechanism identified by Freud that involves the redirection of feelings or impulses from the original source of those feelings to a more acceptable or less threatening target. For instance, if someone is angry at their boss but feels that expressing this anger directly could have negative consequences, they might instead take out their frustration on a family member or a pet. This allows the individual to express their emotions while avoiding confrontation with the original source of their feelings. Understanding displacement is crucial as it highlights how individuals cope with emotions by channeling them in ways that may be less socially acceptable, thereby protecting themselves from direct conflict or anxiety.