A process of redirecting the energy produced by unacceptable desires or activities so that they become accept… - KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Applied Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

Sublimation is the psychological defense mechanism in which a person redirects socially unacceptable impulses into socially valued and acceptable channels.
It is considered a mature and healthy defense mechanism because it allows the energy from the impulse to be expressed in a constructive way, rather than being suppressed or leading to destructive behavior.
For example, a person with aggressive tendencies might channel that energy into becoming a successful athlete in a competitive sport.
The original goal of the impulse is retained, but its aim or object is changed from something objectionable to something socially valued.

Option A: Reaction formation involves acting in the opposite way to one's true feelings, not redirecting them. It's about masking the impulse, not transforming it into something productive.
Option B: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to someone else. It does not involve changing the activity or desire itself.
Option C: Identification is the process of incorporating the traits of another person into one's own personality. It is a way to build self-esteem or cope with anxiety, but it is not about redirecting a specific unacceptable impulse into an activity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Psychological Defense Mechanisms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses often encounter patients and families using various defense mechanisms to cope with the stress of illness, diagnosis, or hospitalization. Recognizing these mechanisms helps the nurse to understand the patient's behavior and communicate more effectively.
Identifying a patient's use of mature defenses like sublimation can be a positive prognostic indicator, suggesting a capacity for healthy coping.
A patient using projection might blame the nursing staff for their own feelings of frustration or fear. A nurse who recognizes this can respond with empathy rather than defensiveness, de-escalating the situation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question. The question asks for a specific term that describes a psychological process.
Analyze the keywords in the stem: 'redirecting energy,' 'unacceptable desires,' and 'acceptable activities.' This points to a transformation of an impulse.
Evaluate each option based on its definition in psychology.
Reaction formation is about opposites. Projection is about attribution to others. Identification is about imitation.
Sublimation is about channeling or redirecting. This directly matches the keywords in the question.
Therefore, select the option that defines the process of transforming an unacceptable impulse into a socially acceptable one.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 3351-3353, 3349-3351