If a child is angry with their parents, but takes out her anger by kicking the family dog, she is engaging in which defense mechanism?

A) reaction formation
B) displacement
C) projection
D) regression

Defense Mechanism

Psychological strategies unconsciously used to protect oneself from anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts or feelings.

Displacement

In psychology, it's a defense mechanism where an individual shifts negative emotions or impulses from the original source to a less threatening person or object.