Unleash Your Inner Social Worker: Master the SWES Human Behavior Exam 2026!

Displacement is a defense mechanism where an individual shifts their emotional response from the original source of frustration or anger to a safer target. In this scenario, Mrs. Ruff is experiencing feelings of anger, likely directed towards her husband, but instead, she expresses this anger towards her son. This situation illustrates how individuals may feel unable to confront the true source of their feelings due to fear of conflict or consequences and, therefore, redirect those feelings to a less threatening figure.

Repression involves unconsciously pushing unwanted feelings away, while projection involves attributing one’s own feelings or thoughts to someone else. Denial is a refusal to accept reality or the truth of a situation. In this context, while each of these mechanisms serves its purpose in managing uncomfortable feelings, displacement accurately describes Mrs. Ruff’s behavior as she diverts her anger to her son.