A businesswoman is upset with her husband. She channels this anger into her work and increases her productivity dramatically. This tendency to refocus an unacceptable or threatening impulse into a socially acceptable outlet is the defense mechanism called____________ .
A) sublimation
B) displacement
C) reaction formation
D) projection

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sublimation is a defense mechanism in which unacceptable impulses or emotions are redirected into a socially acceptable outlet. The businesswoman is redirecting her anger towards her husband into her work, which is a socially acceptable outlet. This results in increased productivity, which shows the effectiveness of sublimation. Displacement involves venting frustration on someone or something less threatening than the actual cause of the frustration, reaction formation involves behaving opposite to one's true feelings, and projection involves attributing one's own negative qualities onto others.

A Businesswoman Is Upset with Her Husband