Sublimation as a defense mechanism refers to what type of expression?

Sublimation is a defense mechanism that involves channeling and transforming negative or socially unacceptable impulses into positive, socially acceptable actions or behaviors. The correct answer reflects the idea that sublimation allows individuals to express their feelings or emotions through constructive activities rather than engaging in harmful or negative behaviors.

For example, someone may feel intense anger or frustration and instead of acting out destructively, they might take up running or engage in creative pursuits like painting or writing. This process not only helps in coping with the underlying feelings but also results in productive outcomes that can be beneficial for the individual and society.

The other options describe different psychological defense mechanisms. Redirecting emotions to a non-productive outlet doesn't capture the positive transformation that occurs in sublimation. Expressing different emotions than those felt refers to a different mechanism known as reaction formation. Suppression of one's true feelings relates to the conscious process of keeping feelings from awareness, which is not the same as the constructive redirection seen in sublimation.