Displacement In Psychology: Defense Mechanisms & Mental Health

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), displacement can be defined as a “transfer of feelings or behavior” from the original object to another. Generally viewed as a defense mechanism of the unconscious mind, a displaced emotion is usually one in which a person transposes a feeling from its original source to a less threatening object. In a classic example, a person who feels anger toward their boss may not direct their anger at the source due to fear of repercussions. Instead, they may display anger toward a waiter or lash out at a friend for a minor inconvenience. Becoming aware of your emotions and the source of your frustrations, however, may prove key to learning how to live with unsettling feelings. A licensed therapist can help you through this process online or in person.

Defense mechanisms according to Sigmund Freud

According to Sigmund Freud, defense mechanisms may act as psychological strategies in our unconscious mind, which is the part of the mind that we may not be directly aware of. Defense mechanisms often aim to safeguard us from anxiety that can come from thoughts and feelings we find unacceptable.

More recent psychological theories tend to recognize defense mechanisms as acceptable strategies and consider them problematic only when they are used in excess or are deemed immature.

The defense mechanism of displacement in psychology

As a form of substitution, the defense mechanism of displacement may be transferred onto many objects and persons, potentially including the following:

Against the self

This can refer to situations in which feelings of frustration, anger, and aggression turn inward and may manifest as depression or other mental health disorders. 

Toward others

When one senses they cannot directly address their feelings to the source that is causing them, the impulse can be turned toward a less threatening person, such as a friend, waiter, partner, child, or group of people.

Toward an object

A person may displace their feelings onto an object, such as a gun, knife, or another weapon. 

By releasing one's impulses onto a less threatening target, one may temporarily find relief from uncomfortable or challenging emotions. However, this temporary relief of tension may not be conducive to one's best interests or those of others. 

Consequences of psychological displacement 

Displacement may, in some cases, take the form of:

Scapegoating, prejudice, and racism

For example, if one has been laid off and has difficulty finding employment, frustration and anger toward the company or corporation may be transferred onto groups of people, such as immigrants. 

Relationship conflict

If someone has a stressful occupation and often feels frustrated and unable to directly confront the source of their stress, they may vent or take out their feelings on a partner, pet, or family member, possibly leading to a cycle of misdirected tension and aggression.

Increased risk of substance use disorder

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, people with “immature defenses” like displacement may be more prone to alcohol dependence. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Forms of therapy to address unhelpful defense mechanisms

Psychodynamic therapy generally aims to help people better understand their unconscious processes by helping them become more self-aware of their emotions and behaviors. It is thought that insights gained through this therapeutic approach may benefit those experiencing a variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and personality disorders. 

According to the European Review of Applied Psychology, defense mechanisms can distort the perception of reality. One of their studies suggests that integrative therapy—combining psychodynamic therapy, emotion-focused therapies, and cognitive and behavioral therapy—may help address maladaptive defense mechanisms. 

Schema therapy is usually considered an integrated therapeutic approach. It typically focuses on long-established patterns, the relationship between therapist and patient, and affective change techniques. It may be especially useful for those who have not found much success with other forms of therapy or have chronic psychological conditions, such as personality disorders. 

Healthy defense mechanisms to express uncomfortable emotions

There may be many ways to express and reframe feelings of anger, anxiety, and frustration that can help us step back and gain another perspective on them.

Managing anger to reduce displacement in psychology

The following tips may help reduce anger:

• Try relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress, which may act as a trigger for many mental health conditions. 
• Avoid dwelling. Research shows that venting anger and frustration to others often works best if done mindfully and selectively, as venting can actually worsen matters by making us get caught up in emotions without gaining a new perspective on them. 
• Go for a walk in nature. Research indicates that a short walk in nature may lower stress by reducing cortisol levels. Cortisol usually refers to a hormone used to measure stress levels. 
• Listen to soothing music. Music can be a powerful healing and destressing tool. It often stimulates the production of dopamine, a hormone that can positively affect mood.
• Write in a journal. Journaling can help one express uncomfortable emotions and has been shown to positively impact mental health. 
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet that is high in fiber. A diet rich in fiber has often been linked to “decreased perceived stress.”

Displacement in other fields

In addition to psychological displacement, different forms of displacement are usually listed in the dictionary. Understanding these contexts may illustrate the topic of displacement in psychology.

In physics, Archimedes' law states that the weight of a floating body equals the weight of the liquid displaced by its immersed section while floating to maintain equilibrium. The volume displaced usually relates to the magnitude of the buoyancy force. 

Displacement can also be defined as the overall change in an object's position. This can be connected to the distance traveled from an initial position to a final position, with distance being the magnitude of displacement. 

In addition, displacement may refer to the displacement of people, as in those who are forced to leave their homes due to war or other unforeseen circumstances. 

Benefits of online therapy for mental health

If you are looking to better understand the unconscious processes that may be affecting your behavior, you may wish to consider online therapy. An online therapist can support you while you explore uncomfortable emotions and incorporate healthy emotional management skills into your life. Working with a therapist may help you learn how to relieve stress in healthy ways.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Discussing sensitive topics from the familiarity and comfort of your own home may be preferable to in-person treatment. Online therapy has frequently been shown to be equally effective as in-person therapy and may be applied to various types of therapy, including schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).