Question

Sheila was upset by her boss, so she goes home and beats her children, who, in turn, kick the dog. This

episode is an example of _______.
a. displacement
b. undoing
c. projection
d. reaction formation

Answer 1

This episode is an example of a. displacement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Of all the psychological defense mechanisms, displacement is the one that implies a transference of negative emotions from the source of this feeling to a harmless individual or object. In this case, the frustrated or angry person direct his/her anger towards a harmless individual or object instead of the source of this feeling. Shelia transfers her anger to her children and they do it with the dog when in fact, the source of this feeling was Sheila's boss.