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The defense mechanism that shifts the emotional element of a threatening situation to a nonthreatening one is:

A) Repression
B) Rationalization
C) Displacement
D) Sublimation

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The defense mechanism described is displacement, where emotional responses are shifted from a threatening situation to a less threatening one.

Step-by-step explanation:

The defense mechanism that shifts the emotional element of a threatening situation to a non-threatening one is known as displacement. This mechanism involves transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a more acceptable or less threatening target. For instance, if someone is angry at their boss but cannot express it directly, they might come home and take out their frustration on a family member, which is a more socially acceptable target.

Other defense mechanisms include repression, where anxiety-causing memories are blocked from consciousness; rationalization, which involves justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable real reasons; and sublimation, where unacceptable urges are channeled into socially acceptable activities.

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