Spencer has a lot of aggressive energy, and sometimes he has troubling thoughts about hurting people in violent ways. He finds that when he plays in his death metal band, Rancid Zebra Corpse, his urges go away and the audience praises his music. Freud would propose that Spencer is using the defense mechanism of __________ to deal with his unacceptable impulses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sublimation is the defense mechanism in which socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior. In this case, Spencer's aggressive energy and troubling thoughts about hurting people in violent ways are being transformed or redirected into playing in his death metal band, which is a socially acceptable outlet for his energy and creativity. Additionally, the positive feedback and praise he receives from his audience reinforces this behavior as socially acceptable.

Spencer Has a Lot of Aggressive Energy, and Sometimes He