If Heather is fired from her job, gets cut off in traffic, and loses her cell phone when she drops her purse near a street grate, and then goes home and kicks her poodle when it greets her at the door, Heather is exhibiting the defense mechanism of sublimation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heather's behavior is not an example of sublimation, which is a defense mechanism where a person channels their negative emotions into a socially acceptable activity. Kicking a poodle is not socially acceptable behavior and does not channel her negative emotions in a healthy way. Heather may be exhibiting displacement, which is a defense mechanism where a person takes out their negative emotions on a less threatening target.

If Heather Is Fired from Her Job, Gets Cut Off