Displacement is a defense mechanism in which the mind subconsciously transfers emotions or reactions from  the original, overwhelming source, to a less threatening or more acceptable one.  In English, this means you unknowingly take your aggression out on someone or something less threatening.

Some examples of this are:

1) Coming home after a particularly bad day at work and later snapping at your husband.

2) Punching a hole through the wall after hearing bad news.

3) Slashing the tires of someone you hate,

One really destructive form of displacement is called SCAPEGOATING. Scapegoating is the act of holding a person, group of people, or thing responsible for a multitude of problems. Its most devestating when it occurs in groups.  It can be on a large scale, such as when the Jews were seen as the cause of all of the political and economic downfalls in Europe. Or it can be on a small scale such as when it occurs in families.  That's right Tootboy, the family is considered a group. 

Here is a description of a the scapegoat as it pertains to the DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY: 

Acting out child" - "Scapegoat"

This is the child that the family feels ashamed of - and the most emotionally honest child in the family.  He/she acts out the tension and anger the family ignores.  This child provides distraction from the real issues in the family.  The scapegoat usually has trouble in school because they get attention the only way they know how - which is negatively.  They often become pregnant or addicted as teenagers.

These children are usually the most sensitive and caring which is why they feel such tremendous hurt.  They are romantics who become very cynical and distrustful.  They have a lot of self-hatred and can be very self-destructive.

 

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