Have you ever had a really bad day at work, then went
home and took out your frustration on family and friends? If you answered yes,
you have experienced the ego defense mechanism of displacement.
Displacement involves taking out our frustrations,
feelings, and impulses on people or objects that are less threatening.
The displacement occurs because the response to the
initial target is considered unacceptable or impossible, so a more suitable
target is found. The displaced impulse might be very intense toward the
original target, but more subdued toward the alternative target. Freud argued
that displacement was commonly used in dreaming.
Displaced aggression is a common example of this defense
mechanism. Rather than express your anger in ways that could lead to negative
consequences (like arguing with your boss), you instead express your anger
toward a person or object that poses no threat (such as your spouse, children,
or pets).
Example
Aidan experiences intense rage and hatred toward his
mother; however, he cannot act on these impulses. Instead, he displaces his
feelings about his mother onto other people whom he associates with her. He
might show hostile behavior toward other women who embody the same
characteristics and behaviors as his mother.
Consequences
Defense mechanisms such as displacement are not inherently
bad. For example, displacement may allow a person to express themselves and
relieve stress, even if they are directing it toward the wrong target.
This mechanism allows a person to process stress and
anxiety in ways that are less threatening and more socially acceptable than
confronting the issue head-on — for example, by shouting back at their boss.
Although displacement can serve a positive function for a
person, it can also lead to negative consequences that may affect a person’s
life and relationships.
Displacement can also be part of a damaging and unhealthy
cycle.
For example, if a person has a negative experience at
work, they may respond by shouting at their partner over a minor mistake when
they get home.
This behavior may make their partner angry and
frustrated, and they may release these emotions by shouting at their child. The
child may respond to the anger and powerlessness they feel by bullying other
children at school.
Difference between displacement and projection
There are some similarities between displacement and
projection 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
displacing their own negative traits and emotions onto others.
·
Displacement: Displacement involves transferring
feelings someone has about one person onto someone else.
In short, projection distorts the motivations of the
person being targeted, whereas displacement is a way for someone to attribute
an emotional response to the wrong person.
Impact of displacement
Displacement can have various effects on both an
individual level and a global scale. Here are examples of some of the
consequences that might result from displacement:
·
Relationship problems: A person who always
displaces their work-related anger onto others may begin to have difficulty
forming long lasting relationships. By directing their aggression and
frustration at their friends and family, they may push them away.
·
Problems with substance misuse and addiction: In
a 2017 study, people living with alcohol use disorder scored higher on scores
of “immature defensive mechanisms,” such as displacement, than those without
this condition. The authors note that addressing these defense mechanisms in
people living with alcohol use disorder may help with providing treatment.
·
Prejudice: Displacement might cause a person to
transfer anger resulting from one thing toward a specific group of people. For
example, if a person struggles to find a new job following a redundancy, they
might start to blame immigrants for their lack of employment.
·
Scapegoating: Similarly, to the above example,
displacement may help explain why people sometimes blame large-scale economic
or social issues on others. It can also happen on a small scale in everyday
situations. For example, a person might have a difficult commute before
returning to a messy home. They might then blame their partner or housemate for
the mess, even if it resulted from someone or something else.
Sources and Additional Information:
https://positivepsychology.com/defense-mechanisms-in-psychology/#displace
https://www.verywellmind.com/defense-mechanisms-2795960
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/displacement-psychology
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/displacement-defense-mechanism/