Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is transference, which refers to the projection of feelings linked with earlier relationships onto a therapist during psychotherapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression toward a therapist of feelings linked with earlier relationships is known as transference. This is a psychological phenomenon where a person redirects emotions and feelings, often unconsciously, from one person to another—especially in the context of therapy. During transference, individuals often project feelings connected with their parents or significant others onto their therapist, replicating the dynamics of past relationships in the therapeutic setting. It is distinct from other mechanisms such as reaction formation, where a person behaves in a way that is opposite to what they truly feel or believe, or regression, where an individual reverts to a younger state of psychological development. Another defense mechanism often discussed in therapy is projection, wherein an individual attributes undesirable feelings or thoughts to another person instead of themselves.