What does the defense mechanism of 'displacement' typically involve?

Displacement is a defense mechanism that involves transferring feelings or emotions from the original source of distress onto a safer or more acceptable target. This can often occur when the person feels threatened or unable to express their feelings directly towards the primary source, possibly due to fear of conflict or potential consequences. For instance, if an individual feels angry at their boss but fears losing their job if they express this anger directly, they might come home and instead take out their frustrations on a family member or even a pet. This not only serves as a coping strategy to deal with those intense emotions but also avoids direct confrontation with the initial source of distress. Displacement provides a way for individuals to cope with their emotional responses while minimizing potential repercussions of acting out directly against the source of their feelings.