Displacement in Psychology

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Displacement is a psychological defense mechanism in which a person redirects a negative emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient. A classic example of the defense is displaced aggression.If a person is angry but cannot direct their anger toward the source without consequences, they might"take out" their angeron a person or thing that poses less of a risk.

Defense MechanismDefense mechanismsare unconscious strategies people use to cope with unacceptable feelings. Unlike the consciouscoping strategiesthat we use to manage daily stress, defense mechanisms operate on an entirely unconscious level.

Defense Mechanism

Defense mechanismsare unconscious strategies people use to cope with unacceptable feelings. Unlike the consciouscoping strategiesthat we use to manage daily stress, defense mechanisms operate on an entirely unconscious level.

Defense mechanisms are one way the mind unconsciously attempts to reduce anxiety and restore emotional balance.Psychological defenses operate without conscious awareness to help cope with threatening people, things, or environments. While people might not be aware of these feelings and urges, they still influence behavior and can cause anxiety.

When people use displacement, the mind senses that reacting to the original source of frustration might be unacceptable—even dangerous. Instead, it finds us a less threatening subject that can serve as a safer outlet for these negative feelings.

History of Displacement in PsychologySigmund Freud’s daughterAnna Freudwas one of the first psychologists to make a list of defense mechanisms (which she knew was incomplete). Displacement was not on her original list.Researchers later introduced the idea of displacement as an important ego defense mechanism.

History of Displacement in Psychology

Sigmund Freud’s daughterAnna Freudwas one of the first psychologists to make a list of defense mechanisms (which she knew was incomplete). Displacement was not on her original list.Researchers later introduced the idea of displacement as an important ego defense mechanism.

20 Common Defense Mechanisms in Psychology

Signs of Displacement

Defense mechanisms are very common and are usually a normal aspect of daily functioning. Displacement as a defense helps us channel emotions and urges that could be considered inappropriate or harmful to more healthy, safe, or productive outlets.

Defense mechanisms like displacement can be unhelpful if people rely on them too heavily, or when they lead to problematic behaviors and interactions with others. Overuse of these mechanisms may contribute to psychological distress and poor functioning.

Displacement serves as a way to redirect feelings, but it also has the potential to cause harm. There are several factors that influence how and when displacement occurs.

Age

Young children are more direct about expressing their feelings. Therefore, they are more likely to express their negative emotions toward the original target (regardless of the appropriateness of the response).

Intensity

Highly upsetting urges or feelings might result in greater displays of emotion toward the substitute target. For example, an inappropriate urge (such as the desire to hit someone) might be expressed as a highly charged emotional outburst (such as yelling at a spouse).

Frequency

Most people have experienced taking out their negative emotions on a secondary target. While displacement can be a normal response, it can cross the line into maladaptive or even abusive behavior. If a person relies on displacement as a defense mechanism to deal with all of their emotional upset, it is less likely to be helpful and may cause harm.

Types of Displacement

Displacement can manifest in a couple of different forms. It can be displayed as anger toward a less threatening target, or it can occur in a more adaptive form known as sublimation.

Sigmund Freudbelieved thatsublimationserved as an important source of creativity and inspiration.

Sublimation involves displacing unacceptable sexual urges toward non-sexual activities that are productive andsocially acceptable, like work and creativity. Sublimating provides a constructive outlet for unacceptable urges.

As soon as you get home, you may unleash your anger on your unsuspecting roommate or find yourself overreacting to a triggering event like your children misbehaving. More often than not, the triggering event is relatively insignificant. It’s your reaction that is out of proportion—even over the top.

The anger you were feeling at your boss is released, but in an indirect way. The consequences of yelling at your roommate or scolding your children are likely to be less severe than if you had taken out your frustration at your boss or coworkers.

The object or person that becomes the subject of displaced feelings can vary but is usually chosen because it is less threatening (or even powerless).

If you’ve ever taken out negative feelings on a friend, family member, or even a complete stranger when you were upset about something else, then you have used displacement as a defense mechanism (even if you weren’t aware of it).

Examples of Displacement

Here are a few imagined scenarios (many of which might sound or feel familiar to you) that exemplify displacement.

RecapDisplacement involves redirecting unwanted feelings onto something else that is less threatening. Unfortunately, this can sometimes involve directing negative feelings toward friends, family, or others.

Recap

Displacement involves redirecting unwanted feelings onto something else that is less threatening. Unfortunately, this can sometimes involve directing negative feelings toward friends, family, or others.

Impact of Displacement

Displacement can lead to unintended consequences and even chain reactions.

Research on the validity of displacement has been mixed. For example, one older study suggested that empirical evidence poorly supports displacement.However, later research supported the theory thatphysical and emotional arousal statestend to carry over from one situation to the next.

For example, while you might restrain yourself in a social setting because reacting would be inappropriate, pushing your feelings down won’t make them go away. Your emotional state will stay the same. Later on, you might find yourself in a setting where you can react with fewer consequences, at which time you will unleash the feelings you suppressed.

Other studies have also offered broad support for defense mechanisms, including displacement, as being important to human health and relationships. Looking at data from a 70-year longitudinal study, a group of researchers found that psychological defense mechanisms might influencethe bodyas well as the mind.

Participants who used adaptive defense mechanisms (including displacement) at mid-life had better physical health later in life. Mature defenses (such as sublimation) may play a key role in creating solid and supportive social relationships, contributing to improved physical health.

Deflection as a Defense Mechanism

How to Deal With Displacement

Overreliance on displacement or any other defense mechanism can be ineffective or even problematic. If you are concerned about your use of displacement as a defense mechanism, it’s something you can address with atherapistor counselor as part ofpsychotherapy. It can be helpful to look at your own behavior to get a better sense of whether you use displacement in a helpful way.

Assess

One of the first steps is also one of the more difficult:observing your behaviorand actions and determining whether displacement could be causing them. Displacement is not something that can be easily viewed. Often, it’s only possible to make inferences based on what you can examine of your own behavior.

At this stage, it can be helpful to work with a therapist. They can look at your behavior from an “outside” point of view and help you see things from a more objective perspective.

A therapist is able to witness (and point out) contradictions between your behavior and your words,body language, or other signals.

For example, you might tell your therapist that you do not mind that your spouse works late nights and weekends, but your body language and your speech might suggest otherwise. As you share more about your behavior, it might become clear that when you are short-tempered with your kids in the evening, it’s really a sign of the frustration you feel with your spouse.

Why Accepting Your Emotions Is Good for Your Health

Reflect

Reflection is a strategy therapists can use to help you recognize when you are using defense mechanisms like displacement. With this strategy, your therapist reflects your feelings back to you in a way that encourages you to consider what you have done or said.

The goal of using the reflection technique is to reveal concealed worries or concerns that played a role in your behavior.

For example, as you are telling your therapist about expressing anger at a coworker, you might reveal one of your underlying worries—that your new manager does not recognize your talents and efforts. Rather thanexpressing your emotionsto your boss (a threatening target), you took your frustration out on your coworker (a less threatening target).

Reframe

Once you start to recognize episodes of unhealthy displacement in your own life, the next step is to look for purposeful ways toalter your thinking and behavior. For example, if you are yelling at your spouse because you are displacing your frustrations from work, stop, step back, and take a moment toregain control.

11 Anger Management Strategies to Help You Calm Down

A Word From Verywell

Like other psychological mechanisms of defense, displacement can be a normal and healthy way of coping with unconscious negative emotions. However, overly relying on displacement as a way to handle negative feelings can be unhelpful and even destructive—particularly if you take your frustrations out on defenseless people around you.

It can be hard to recognize our own displacement, if you are concerned about how you use this defense mechanism, therapy can help you see when your actions, words, or behaviors are really a defense mechanism. Once you learn to recognize displacement, you can take steps to challenge the defense mechanism and find more effective ways to cope.

Ways to Deal With Negative Emotions

18 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajchert J.Emotional, cognitive and self-enhancement processes in aggressive behavior after interpersonal rejection and exclusion.Eur J Psychol.2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934Waqas A, Naveed S, Aedma KK, Tariq M, Afzaal T.Exploring clusters of defense styles, psychiatric symptoms and academic achievements among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Pakistan.BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):782. doi:10.1186/s13104-018-3876-6Javanbakht A.A theory of everything: Overlapping neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapies of fear and anxiety related disorders.Front Behav Neurosci.2018;12:328. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00328Weiner B.Human Motivation. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:119-123.Freud A.The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence. Taylor & Francis.Fenichel O.The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis.Routledge; 2006:163.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.0056355Starr OD.A Layman’s Guide to Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis: Not a Wasted Word.Br J Gen Pract. 2017;67(657):178. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X690341Fernández-Antelo I, Cuadrado-Gordillo I.Moral disengagement as an explanatory factor of the polyivictimization of bullying and cyberbullying.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(13):2414. doi:10.3390/ijerph16132414Kline P.The Concept of Defense Mechanisms in Contemporary Psychology. Hentschel U, Smith G, Ehlers W, Draguns J, eds. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:3-6.Vaillant GE.Adaptation to Life. Harvard University Press; 2012:139-145.Pulcu E.An evolutionary perspective on gradual formation of superego in the primal horde.Front Psychol.2014;5:8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00008The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.The Great Depression. ‌Esses V, Haddock G, Zanna M.The Psychology of Prejudice. Zanna MP, Olsen J, eds. Psychology Press; 1993:78-80.Baumeister RF, Dale K, Sommer KL.Freudian defense mechanisms and empirical findings in modern social psychology: Reaction formation, projection, displacement, undoing, isolation, sublimation, and denial.J Pers. 1998;66(6):1081-1124. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00043Sohn JH, Kim HE, Sohn S, Seok JW, Choi D, Watanuki S.Effect of emotional arousal on inter-temporal decision-making: An fMRI study.J Physiol Anthropol.2015;34:8. doi:10.1186/s40101-015-0047-5Malone JC, Cohen S, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Waldinger RJ.Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health.Pers Individ Dif.2013;55(2):85-89. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.025Foley GN, Gentile JP.Nonverbal communication in psychotherapy.Psychiatry (Edgmont).2010;7(6):38-44.

18 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rajchert J.Emotional, cognitive and self-enhancement processes in aggressive behavior after interpersonal rejection and exclusion.Eur J Psychol.2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934Waqas A, Naveed S, Aedma KK, Tariq M, Afzaal T.Exploring clusters of defense styles, psychiatric symptoms and academic achievements among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Pakistan.BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):782. doi:10.1186/s13104-018-3876-6Javanbakht A.A theory of everything: Overlapping neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapies of fear and anxiety related disorders.Front Behav Neurosci.2018;12:328. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00328Weiner B.Human Motivation. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:119-123.Freud A.The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence. Taylor & Francis.Fenichel O.The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis.Routledge; 2006:163.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.0056355Starr OD.A Layman’s Guide to Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis: Not a Wasted Word.Br J Gen Pract. 2017;67(657):178. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X690341Fernández-Antelo I, Cuadrado-Gordillo I.Moral disengagement as an explanatory factor of the polyivictimization of bullying and cyberbullying.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(13):2414. doi:10.3390/ijerph16132414Kline P.The Concept of Defense Mechanisms in Contemporary Psychology. Hentschel U, Smith G, Ehlers W, Draguns J, eds. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:3-6.Vaillant GE.Adaptation to Life. Harvard University Press; 2012:139-145.Pulcu E.An evolutionary perspective on gradual formation of superego in the primal horde.Front Psychol.2014;5:8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00008The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.The Great Depression. ‌Esses V, Haddock G, Zanna M.The Psychology of Prejudice. Zanna MP, Olsen J, eds. Psychology Press; 1993:78-80.Baumeister RF, Dale K, Sommer KL.Freudian defense mechanisms and empirical findings in modern social psychology: Reaction formation, projection, displacement, undoing, isolation, sublimation, and denial.J Pers. 1998;66(6):1081-1124. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00043Sohn JH, Kim HE, Sohn S, Seok JW, Choi D, Watanuki S.Effect of emotional arousal on inter-temporal decision-making: An fMRI study.J Physiol Anthropol.2015;34:8. doi:10.1186/s40101-015-0047-5Malone JC, Cohen S, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Waldinger RJ.Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health.Pers Individ Dif.2013;55(2):85-89. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.025Foley GN, Gentile JP.Nonverbal communication in psychotherapy.Psychiatry (Edgmont).2010;7(6):38-44.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rajchert J.Emotional, cognitive and self-enhancement processes in aggressive behavior after interpersonal rejection and exclusion.Eur J Psychol.2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934Waqas A, Naveed S, Aedma KK, Tariq M, Afzaal T.Exploring clusters of defense styles, psychiatric symptoms and academic achievements among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Pakistan.BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):782. doi:10.1186/s13104-018-3876-6Javanbakht A.A theory of everything: Overlapping neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapies of fear and anxiety related disorders.Front Behav Neurosci.2018;12:328. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00328Weiner B.Human Motivation. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:119-123.Freud A.The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence. Taylor & Francis.Fenichel O.The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis.Routledge; 2006:163.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.0056355Starr OD.A Layman’s Guide to Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis: Not a Wasted Word.Br J Gen Pract. 2017;67(657):178. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X690341Fernández-Antelo I, Cuadrado-Gordillo I.Moral disengagement as an explanatory factor of the polyivictimization of bullying and cyberbullying.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(13):2414. doi:10.3390/ijerph16132414Kline P.The Concept of Defense Mechanisms in Contemporary Psychology. Hentschel U, Smith G, Ehlers W, Draguns J, eds. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:3-6.Vaillant GE.Adaptation to Life. Harvard University Press; 2012:139-145.Pulcu E.An evolutionary perspective on gradual formation of superego in the primal horde.Front Psychol.2014;5:8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00008The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.The Great Depression. ‌Esses V, Haddock G, Zanna M.The Psychology of Prejudice. Zanna MP, Olsen J, eds. Psychology Press; 1993:78-80.Baumeister RF, Dale K, Sommer KL.Freudian defense mechanisms and empirical findings in modern social psychology: Reaction formation, projection, displacement, undoing, isolation, sublimation, and denial.J Pers. 1998;66(6):1081-1124. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00043Sohn JH, Kim HE, Sohn S, Seok JW, Choi D, Watanuki S.Effect of emotional arousal on inter-temporal decision-making: An fMRI study.J Physiol Anthropol.2015;34:8. doi:10.1186/s40101-015-0047-5Malone JC, Cohen S, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Waldinger RJ.Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health.Pers Individ Dif.2013;55(2):85-89. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.025Foley GN, Gentile JP.Nonverbal communication in psychotherapy.Psychiatry (Edgmont).2010;7(6):38-44.

Rajchert J.Emotional, cognitive and self-enhancement processes in aggressive behavior after interpersonal rejection and exclusion.Eur J Psychol.2015;11(4):707-721. doi:10.5964/ejop.v11i4.934

Waqas A, Naveed S, Aedma KK, Tariq M, Afzaal T.Exploring clusters of defense styles, psychiatric symptoms and academic achievements among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Pakistan.BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):782. doi:10.1186/s13104-018-3876-6

Javanbakht A.A theory of everything: Overlapping neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapies of fear and anxiety related disorders.Front Behav Neurosci.2018;12:328. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00328

Weiner B.Human Motivation. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:119-123.

Freud A.The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence. Taylor & Francis.

Fenichel O.The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis.Routledge; 2006:163.

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

Starr OD.A Layman’s Guide to Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis: Not a Wasted Word.Br J Gen Pract. 2017;67(657):178. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X690341

Fernández-Antelo I, Cuadrado-Gordillo I.Moral disengagement as an explanatory factor of the polyivictimization of bullying and cyberbullying.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(13):2414. doi:10.3390/ijerph16132414

Kline P.The Concept of Defense Mechanisms in Contemporary Psychology. Hentschel U, Smith G, Ehlers W, Draguns J, eds. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012:3-6.

Vaillant GE.Adaptation to Life. Harvard University Press; 2012:139-145.

Pulcu E.An evolutionary perspective on gradual formation of superego in the primal horde.Front Psychol.2014;5:8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00008

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.The Great Depression. ‌

Esses V, Haddock G, Zanna M.The Psychology of Prejudice. Zanna MP, Olsen J, eds. Psychology Press; 1993:78-80.

Baumeister RF, Dale K, Sommer KL.Freudian defense mechanisms and empirical findings in modern social psychology: Reaction formation, projection, displacement, undoing, isolation, sublimation, and denial.J Pers. 1998;66(6):1081-1124. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00043

Sohn JH, Kim HE, Sohn S, Seok JW, Choi D, Watanuki S.Effect of emotional arousal on inter-temporal decision-making: An fMRI study.J Physiol Anthropol.2015;34:8. doi:10.1186/s40101-015-0047-5

Malone JC, Cohen S, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Waldinger RJ.Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health.Pers Individ Dif.2013;55(2):85-89. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.025

Foley GN, Gentile JP.Nonverbal communication in psychotherapy.Psychiatry (Edgmont).2010;7(6):38-44.

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