Final answer:
The defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are directed at a less threatening target is displacement. It transfers emotions from a potentially harmful situation to a safer one.
Step-by-step explanation:
The defense mechanism that involves directing unacceptable impulses at a less threatening target is known as displacement. This process allows individuals to redirect potentially harmful emotions or desires away from a person or situation that may cause anxiety towards someone or something that is perceived as less dangerous. For example, a person who is frustrated with their boss at work might come home and unjustly criticize their family members, thereby displacing their anger to a safer environment.