A college student reprimanded for failing to turn in a term paper on time; later the student starts an argument with her younger brother. This behavior is an example of which defense mechanism?

A college student reprimanded for failing to turn in a term paper on time; later the student starts an argument with her younger brother. This behavior is an example of which defense mechanism?

• A. Suppression.
• B. Incorporation.
• C. Displacement.
• D. Projection.

Answer: (C)

Displacement occurs when emotions stirred by one source are redirected to a safer or more acceptable target. After being reprimanded for the late term paper, the student likely feels anger or frustration. Instead of directing that anger at the person who reprimanded her, she takes it out on her younger brother, shifting the emotional energy to a less threatening target. This keeps the uncomfortable feeling contained while still expressing it in the moment. Suppression would involve consciously withholding or delaying the emotion, which isn’t what’s happening here since the emotion is being expressed, albeit toward someone else. Projection would involve attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to another person as if they caused them. Introjection (incorporation) would involve internalizing someone else’s attributes or demands, not redirecting the emotion to a sibling.

Displacement occurs when emotions stirred by one source are redirected to a safer or more acceptable target. After being reprimanded for the late term paper, the student likely feels anger or frustration. Instead of directing that anger at the person who reprimanded her, she takes it out on her younger brother, shifting the emotional energy to a less threatening target. This keeps the uncomfortable feeling contained while still expressing it in the moment.

Suppression would involve consciously withholding or delaying the emotion, which isn’t what’s happening here since the emotion is being expressed, albeit toward someone else. Projection would involve attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to another person as if they caused them. Introjection (incorporation) would involve internalizing someone else’s attributes or demands, not redirecting the emotion to a sibling.