Which defense mechanism involves shifting anxiety or anger from one object to a less threatening substitute?

Displacement is the defense mechanism that involves redirecting emotions, such as anxiety or anger, from a threatening object or situation to a safer, less threatening substitute. This mechanism allows individuals to express feelings they may feel uncomfortable confronting directly, thereby reducing their emotional tension.

For example, if someone is experiencing stress at work and feels actual rage towards their boss, they may come home and take out that frustration on a family member or even a pet. In this way, the intense feelings are safely redirected, allowing the individual to avoid direct confrontation with the source of their anger.

Compensation, while it may also involve a form of emotional response, generally refers to making up for perceived deficiencies in one area by excelling in another. Fantasy involves using imagination to escape from reality, rather than addressing emotional discomfort directly. Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that is opposite to one's true feelings, essentially masking the real emotions rather than redirecting them. These distinctions highlight why displacement is specifically the mechanism involved in shifting feelings from one object to a less threatening target.