substitution
n. the replacement of one thing with another. In psychoanalytic theory, it denotes the replacement of unacceptable emotions or unattainable goals with alternative feelings or achievable aims. Substitution may be viewed as a positive adaptation or solution (e.g., adoption when one cannot have a child of one’s own) or as a negative, maladaptive response (e.g., emotional eating after a frustrating day at the office). See also defense mechanism.