When an adolescent is unable to show anger to his parents, then he shows his anger to his younger brother.' This is an example of which type of defence mechanism ?

Question

Accepted Answer

'When an adolescent is unable to show anger to his parents, then he shows his anger to his younger brother.' This is an example of **Displacement**.

Here's why Displacement (Option 4) is the correct defense mechanism in this scenario:

*   **Displacement:** Displacement involves redirecting emotions, often negative ones like anger, from a dangerous or unacceptable target to a safer or more acceptable one. In this case, the adolescent is angry at their parents (the original target), but because expressing anger directly to them might have negative consequences (e.g., punishment, disapproval), they redirect that anger towards their younger brother, who is a less threatening target. The emotion remains, but its object changes.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Repression:** Repression is an unconscious defense mechanism where unacceptable or painful thoughts, feelings, or impulses are pushed out of conscious awareness. The individual is not consciously aware of the repressed emotion or memory. In the given scenario, the adolescent *is* aware of their anger; they are simply redirecting it.

*   **Regression:** Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or anxiety. This might involve behaviors like thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, or throwing tantrums. The adolescent in the example is not reverting to childlike behavior; they are expressing anger, albeit towards a different target.

*   **Projection:** Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses to another person. For example, someone who is secretly angry might accuse others of being angry. The adolescent in the example is not attributing their anger to someone else; they are expressing it directly, just towards a different person.

Therefore, the most accurate description of the adolescent's behavior is **Displacement**, as they are redirecting their anger from their parents to their younger brother.