Defense mechanisms: displacement vs. projection vs. sublimation
After being criticized by his supervisor, a man goes home and yells at his roommate. Which defense mechanism is this?
Answer D: explanation for every choice
A
Projection is attributing your own unacceptable feelings to someone else.
B
Sublimation is channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.
C
Reaction formation is behaving opposite to your true feelings.
D
Correct. Displacement redirects feelings from their source to a safer target.
TakeawayDisplacement: a safer target. Projection: “you're the angry one.” Sublimation: turned into something productive.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps57.