A woman receives a $1 per hour raise. She was expecting to receive an increase of $5 per hour and a promotion. She is furious but says nothing and smiles. That night at home, she kicks her cat for no apparent cause. This is an example of which of the following?

Choice A reason: Denial involves refusing to acknowledge reality or emotions. In this case, the woman is aware of her anger but chooses not to express it directly, so denial does not apply. Choice B reason: Sublimation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable actions. For example, channeling anger into exercise or art. Kicking a cat is not a socially acceptable outlet. Choice C reason: Countertransference refers to a therapist’s emotional reaction to a client, often based on the therapist’s own unresolved issues. This concept does not apply to the woman’s personal reaction in a non-clinical setting. Choice D reason: Displacement occurs when emotions are redirected from the original source to a safer or more acceptable target. The woman cannot express her anger at work, so she redirects it toward her cat, making this a textbook example of displacement.