Review Question - QID 106885

This woman is shifting her negative feelings about her garden club board to her husband, which is an example of the defense mechanism displacement.

Sigmund Freud was a proponent of ego defenses, which are unconscious defense mechanisms in stressful or anxiety-inducing situations. Displacement is an example of an unconscious defense mechanism and such defenses can cause harm to an individual's ability to cope if they are used for a prolonged period of time and depending on the specific circumstances.

Clark writes that displacement is an immature defense mechanism, and adults who utilize it are not exhibiting healthy coping abilities. He suggests that a continuous use of displacement might alter an individual’s perception of reality and a dependence on relieving anxiety on a vulnerable target.

Cramer writes that defense mechanisms are unconscious and are used by individuals to reduce anxiety or negative impulses. People typically use various defense mechanisms throughout life, are not aware that of their behavior, and are not aware of the event that causes the defense mechanism to be employed.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Intellectualization involves the use of intellect to avoid uncomfortable situation, which does not apply in this case.
Answer 2: Projection entails accrediting one’s own feelings to someone else.
Answer 4: Reaction formation is the defense mechanism in which a person responds to a situation in a manner that is opposite to that person’s actual feelings.
Answer 5: Isolation of affect is a defense mechanism used when a person isolates emotional components from a thought.