displacement behavior

a behavior in which an individual substitutes one type of action for another when the first action is unsuccessful or when two competing motivations are present that lead to incompatible actions. A gull at a territory boundary may direct attacklike actions toward the ground rather than its rival due to simultaneous aggressive and fearful responses to the opponent. A laboratory animal that is frustrated by servings of food that are small and delivered slowly may express displacement behavior by drinking instead of eating. Also called displacement activity.

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Psychology term of the day

March 16th 2025

surrogate

1. a person or object that substitutes for the role of an individual who has a significant position in a family or group. See father surrogate; mother surrogate.

2. more generally, any person or entity that substitutes for another.