Final answer:
Sublimation is the process of redirecting unacceptable urges into more appropriate activities. It is a psychological concept signifying the transformation of disruptive impulses into socially acceptable actions or creative expression. Reaction formation, another defense mechanism, involves adopting the opposite behaviors to cope with anxiety-inducing urges.
Step-by-step explanation:
A form of displacement where unacceptable urges are redirected into more appropriate activities is known as sublimation. This psychological concept involves taking potentially disruptive or harmful impulses and transforming them into socially acceptable actions or forms of expression. For instance, someone with aggressive tendencies might channel that energy into sports or someone with inappropriate sexual desires may turn to artistic endeavors. This mechanism serves as a way for individuals to cope with desires or feelings that they cannot express openly.
Another important aspect to consider is the concept of reaction formation. This is a defense mechanism in which an individual might counteract anxiety arised from unacceptable urges by adopting and exaggerating opposite behaviors. For example, if a person has feelings of hostility towards others, they might go out of their way to be overly friendly and accommodating. Both sublimation and reaction formation allow individuals to manage their urges constructively in society.