Final answer:
Displacement is redirecting thoughts and feelings into a constructive activity, which differs from reaction formation and emotion-focused coping. Displacement transfers feelings to a less threatening target, while other mechanisms and strategies address cognitive dissonance or stress-related emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of displacement is when we manage to redirect our unhealthy thoughts and feelings into a constructive activity. Displacement is a defense mechanism where a person transfers feelings about one object or person to another, less threatening object or person. This coping strategy can be seen when we channel negative energies or emotions into more positive actions, such as exercising or engaging in a hobby when feeling stressed or angry.
In contrast, other defense mechanisms like reaction formation lead to individuals expressing the opposite behavior to what they truly feel. An example of this is treating someone with extreme kindness when you actually harbor negative feelings toward them. Behavior can also be influenced by cognitive dissonance, which is the mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes. People might change their behavior, rationalize it, or add new cognitions to reduce this discomfort.
Another relevant concept is emotion-focused coping, which entails strategies to manage or reduce the negative emotional responses associated with stress. This does not necessarily change the actual problem but helps to alleviate the negative emotions linked to it, allowing individuals a way to temporarily divert their attention from the stressor.