Displacement (psychology)

Shift is the one psychological process, are occupied by the emotional energy with which certain unconscious idea representative, is delivered to a different occupation. This process is thus to be understood as a compression of the opposite process. Shift serves the psychic economy by amounts can affect relatively free to change from one content to another. Therefore, the displacement is also referred to interchangeably as an affect displacement in relation to the psychodynamic aspect of the cast object. They can be considered as a result of over-determination. Displacement and condensation characterize the primary process. The concept goes back to Freud and was first described by him as a process of dream work. After Freud's economic theory can give an idea of ​​the whole amount of energy their occupation to another. Through the process of compression it can take up the occupation of several others. Sometimes the shift also serves as a defense mechanism, such as in phobias or screen memories.