A man receives a nickel-an-hour pay raise but expected a dollar; he is furious yet nonassertive, and later yells at his wife for no apparent reason. This demonstrates which defense mechanism?

A man receives a nickel-an-hour pay raise but expected a dollar; he is furious yet nonassertive, and later yells at his wife for no apparent reason. This demonstrates which defense mechanism?

• A. Projection
• B. Displacement
• C. Rationalization
• D. Denial

Answer: (B)

Displacement is at work here. When strong emotions have an immediate source that would be risky or uncomfortable to express toward, the feeling is redirected to a safer target. The man is upset about not getting the dollar raise, but he’s nonassertive and likely cannot confront his boss directly. Instead, he channels that misplaced anger into lashing out at his wife for no clear reason. The emotional energy remains anger, just redirected. This doesn’t fit as projection, which would involve accusing others of having one’s own unacceptable feelings; rationalization, which would be offering excuses to justify the feeling; or denial, which would be refusing to acknowledge the reality of the situation.

Displacement is at work here. When strong emotions have an immediate source that would be risky or uncomfortable to express toward, the feeling is redirected to a safer target. The man is upset about not getting the dollar raise, but he’s nonassertive and likely cannot confront his boss directly. Instead, he channels that misplaced anger into lashing out at his wife for no clear reason. The emotional energy remains anger, just redirected.

This doesn’t fit as projection, which would involve accusing others of having one’s own unacceptable feelings; rationalization, which would be offering excuses to justify the feeling; or denial, which would be refusing to acknowledge the reality of the situation.