A businesswoman channels this anger into her work and productivity; this is an example of

• A. Projection
• B. Sublimation
• C. Reaction formation
• D. Intellectualization

Answer: (B)

Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where uncomfortable or unacceptable emotions, like anger, are redirected into constructive and socially valued activities. In this scenario, the anger isn’t suppressed or acted out toward others; instead, it fuels her focus, energy, and productivity at work, turning a potentially disruptive emotion into a productive outcome.

Projection would involve attributing her anger to other people as the source of the problem. Reaction formation would mean behaving in a way that shows the opposite of her true feeling (for example, being excessively cheerful to mask anger). Intellectualization would use cool, abstract analysis to detach from the emotion rather than channeling it into action. Thus, sublimation best explains how the anger becomes something constructive and accepted in a professional setting.