Defense mechanisms are an unconscious strategy used to avoid difficult emotions. The displacement defense mechanism is a way for people to “displace,” or redirect, negative emotions from one source to another. While defense mechanisms can be helpful in the short-term, displacement can cause damage to relationships over time.Read on to learn more about displacement defense mechanisms, including real-life examples and how you can learn to cope if you use thistype of defense mechanismin your life and relationships.

Defense mechanisms are an unconscious strategy used to avoid difficult emotions. The displacement defense mechanism is a way for people to “displace,” or redirect, negative emotions from one source to another. While defense mechanisms can be helpful in the short-term, displacement can cause damage to relationships over time.

Read on to learn more about displacement defense mechanisms, including real-life examples and how you can learn to cope if you use thistype of defense mechanismin your life and relationships.

What is Displacement?It isn’t always possible for people to express negative emotions like anger, frustration, or fear directly. Repression of unwanted feelings is common, and displacement defense mechanisms allow someone to transfer unpleasant feelings from their original source to another less threatening target.People often find themselves in situations that require them to suppress their emotions. If you’re upset at your boss, for example, voicing your feelings could have serious consequences. When someone engages in displaced aggression, they direct these strong emotions towards another, safer target, such as a family member or a friend.What is the difference between displacement and projection?There are some similarities between displacement andprojection as a defense mechanism. Both mechanisms essentially involve transferring feelings to someone else, but people use these defense tactics in different ways.Projection: When someone projects, they’re displacingtheir own negative traitsand emotions onto others.Displacement:Displacement involves transferringfeelings someone has about one persononto someone else.In short,projectiondistorts the motivations of the person being targeted, whereasdisplacementis a way for someone to attribute an emotional response to the wrong person.

What is Displacement?

It isn’t always possible for people to express negative emotions like anger, frustration, or fear directly. Repression of unwanted feelings is common, and displacement defense mechanisms allow someone to transfer unpleasant feelings from their original source to another less threatening target.

People often find themselves in situations that require them to suppress their emotions. If you’re upset at your boss, for example, voicing your feelings could have serious consequences. When someone engages in displaced aggression, they direct these strong emotions towards another, safer target, such as a family member or a friend.

What is the difference between displacement and projection?

There are some similarities between displacement andprojection as a defense mechanism. Both mechanisms essentially involve transferring feelings to someone else, but people use these defense tactics in different ways.

In short,projectiondistorts the motivations of the person being targeted, whereasdisplacementis a way for someone to attribute an emotional response to the wrong person.

Examples of Displacement as a Defense Mechanism

Displacement can take many forms. While it’s often associated with misplaced anger, people can also displace other feelings, such as sexual urges. Some additional displacement defense mechanism examples include:

Why Do We Use Displacement as a Defense Mechanism?

“We often unconsciously use displacement. For example, sometimes if we’re angry about something at work, instead of processing it in a healthy way, that lingering anger can sometimes urge us to redirect our feelings and act more irritable at home with a partner, kids, or pet. If you notice you’re struggling with behaviors like this, you can absolutely work on it in therapy.”

Studiessuggest that people are more likely to engage in displacement when they’re dealing with ego depletion. Ego depletion is the term used to describe when someone uses up all their available willpower. In relation to displacement, if much effort goes into staying calm when someone is being insulted, for example, they may then struggle to maintain an appropriate level of control later on. This could cause them to lash out at the people around them.The harmful impacts of displacementIt’s important to note that displacement isn’talwaysbad. On the contrary, it can even be a healthy coping strategy to a certain degree — allowing you to manage and deal with anxiety and stress in some instances.

Studiessuggest that people are more likely to engage in displacement when they’re dealing with ego depletion. Ego depletion is the term used to describe when someone uses up all their available willpower. In relation to displacement, if much effort goes into staying calm when someone is being insulted, for example, they may then struggle to maintain an appropriate level of control later on. This could cause them to lash out at the people around them.

The harmful impacts of displacement

It’s important to note that displacement isn’talwaysbad. On the contrary, it can even be a healthy coping strategy to a certain degree — allowing you to manage and deal with anxiety and stress in some instances.

“We all use displacement as a defense mechanism to some degree, but if it’s to the extent that you’re aware it’s contributing to issues personally or professionally, I would encourage you to explore this with a licensed therapist so you can start to feel better and make decisions that serve you in healthier ways.”

That said, displacement can be destructive to your relationships, sense of self-worth, and overall happiness. It can spark a cyclical pattern of behavior that drives wedges between you and others and might begin to interfere with your ability to be successful, both personally and professionally.Relationship issuesWhen someone regularly displaces negative emotions, they often transfer their feelings to loved ones, such as a spouse or a family member. This can be a major source of relationship conflict. Redirecting emotions like anger and frustration towards loved ones can eventually push them away.Cycles of angerDisplacement can create a cycle of anger and negative emotions. When someone displaces their anger onto one person, that person may then lash out at someone else. The only way to break this cycle is to deal with negative feelings in a healthier way.Inappropriate emotional displaysBy transferring feelings to another target, it can lead to emotional displays that may be seen as inappropriate. Displaced emotions are often extreme and can eventually lead to intense emotional outbursts.PrejudiceDisplacement can be a source of prejudice. When someone puts negative emotions onto a group of people, it can lead to prejudices that shape the way they feel about the world. These prejudices can have severe consequences.Substance abuseAccording to studies, people who struggle with drug and alcohol dependency aremore likelyto engage in damaging defense mechanisms like displacement. When people feel angry or powerless, and they don’t have a healthy way to express their emotions, it can lead to addictive behaviors.

That said, displacement can be destructive to your relationships, sense of self-worth, and overall happiness. It can spark a cyclical pattern of behavior that drives wedges between you and others and might begin to interfere with your ability to be successful, both personally and professionally.

Relationship issues

When someone regularly displaces negative emotions, they often transfer their feelings to loved ones, such as a spouse or a family member. This can be a major source of relationship conflict. Redirecting emotions like anger and frustration towards loved ones can eventually push them away.

Cycles of anger

Displacement can create a cycle of anger and negative emotions. When someone displaces their anger onto one person, that person may then lash out at someone else. The only way to break this cycle is to deal with negative feelings in a healthier way.

Inappropriate emotional displays

By transferring feelings to another target, it can lead to emotional displays that may be seen as inappropriate. Displaced emotions are often extreme and can eventually lead to intense emotional outbursts.

Prejudice

Displacement can be a source of prejudice. When someone puts negative emotions onto a group of people, it can lead to prejudices that shape the way they feel about the world. These prejudices can have severe consequences.

Substance abuse

According to studies, people who struggle with drug and alcohol dependency aremore likelyto engage in damaging defense mechanisms like displacement. When people feel angry or powerless, and they don’t have a healthy way to express their emotions, it can lead to addictive behaviors.

How to Work Through DisplacementWhile it can be difficult to identify displacement defense mechanisms, it’s possible to recognize and change these behaviors.

How to Work Through Displacement

While it can be difficult to identify displacement defense mechanisms, it’s possible to recognize and change these behaviors.

“It can be hard to know you’re using displacement in the moment. To ultimately see what you can do differently next time, often it takes reflecting afterwards on why you acted a certain way so you can get clarity on what triggered you and why you took your displaced emotions out on someone or something else — a therapist can really support you here. Alternatively, if you feel that you’re more so the victim of displaced anger, such as in the case of being bullied, we encourage you to get the support that you need.”

There are several ways to work through displacement, including:Self-reflection:Analyzing your own behavior and actions can increase your awareness of your behavior. When you catch yourself displacing your emotions, reflect on why you’re using certain negative defense mechanisms.Cognitive reframing:Negative emotions like frustration and anger are unavoidable, but itispossible to adjust your mindset.Reframinghelps you focus on positive emotions or find other outlets for your feelings.Journaling:It’s not always possible to openly and outwardly express what you’re feeling, but you can work through your emotions in a journal.Journaling for your mental healthcan be a way to vent your feelings without inappropriately directing them to another person.Meditation:Meditation can be a simple and effective, yet very powerful way to reduce stress. Over time, it can also give you more control over your emotions and help you stay focused on the present.In-person oronline therapy:Recognizing and overcoming displacement isn’t always easy. If you’ve been struggling with displacement, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.Displacement defense mechanisms can have lasting consequences on your well-being and your relationships with others. The good news, though, is you can learn effectivecoping skillsthat will allow you to challenge how you implement defense mechanisms in your life. With the help of a skilled, trained therapist, you’ll be able to find new and better ways to cope.

There are several ways to work through displacement, including:

Displacement defense mechanisms can have lasting consequences on your well-being and your relationships with others. The good news, though, is you can learn effectivecoping skillsthat will allow you to challenge how you implement defense mechanisms in your life. With the help of a skilled, trained therapist, you’ll be able to find new and better ways to cope.

Sources:1. Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D. Sublimation, culture, and creativity. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-666. doi:10.1037/a0033487.https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0033487. Accessed September 24, 2022.2. Nesdale D, Duffy A. Social identity, peer group rejection, and young children’s reactive, displaced, and proactive aggression. British Journal of Developmental Psychology. 2011;29(4):823-841. doi:10.1111/j.2044-835x.2010.02012.x.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21995740/. Accessed September 24, 2022.3. Mohiyeddini C, Bauer S, Semple S. Displacement Behaviour Is Associated with Reduced Stress Levels among Men but Not Women. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e56355. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056355.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0056355. Accessed September 24, 2022.4. Rajchert J. Emotional, Cognitive and Self-Enhancement Processes in Aggressive Behavior After Interpersonal Rejection and Exclusion. Europe’s Journal of Psychology. 2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934.https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/934. Accessed September 24, 2022.5. Iwanicka K, Gerhant A, Olajossy M. Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress. PeerJ. 2017;5:e3576. doi:10.7717/peerj.3576.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546178/. Accessed September 24, 2022.

Sources:

  1. Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D. Sublimation, culture, and creativity. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-666. doi:10.1037/a0033487.https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0033487. Accessed September 24, 2022.

  2. Nesdale D, Duffy A. Social identity, peer group rejection, and young children’s reactive, displaced, and proactive aggression. British Journal of Developmental Psychology. 2011;29(4):823-841. doi:10.1111/j.2044-835x.2010.02012.x.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21995740/. Accessed September 24, 2022.

  3. Mohiyeddini C, Bauer S, Semple S. Displacement Behaviour Is Associated with Reduced Stress Levels among Men but Not Women. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e56355. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056355.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0056355. Accessed September 24, 2022.

  4. Rajchert J. Emotional, Cognitive and Self-Enhancement Processes in Aggressive Behavior After Interpersonal Rejection and Exclusion. Europe’s Journal of Psychology. 2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934.https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/934. Accessed September 24, 2022.

  5. Iwanicka K, Gerhant A, Olajossy M. Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress. PeerJ. 2017;5:e3576. doi:10.7717/peerj.3576.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546178/. Accessed September 24, 2022.

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